Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will be squaring off for the 46th time in their careers when they battle for the Western & Southern Open title on Sunday afternoon.
It could be all tied up 23-23 in the head-to-head series following the final, but Federer has some work to do if he wants that to happen. Although the 37-year-old Swiss trails Djokovic 23-22, he is a perfect 3-0 against the Serb in Cincinnati finals. Federer triumphed 6-1, 7-5 in 2009, 6-0, 7-6(7) in 2012, and 7-6(1), 6-3 in 2015. The latter result came at the peak of their rivalry, as the two all-time greats faced each other an incredible eight times that season. Djokovic is 6-2 in their last eight meetings after winning their most recent showdown 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the semis of the 2016 Australian Open.
Djokovic’s 0-3 mark against Federer in Cincinnati is part of a shocking 0-5 lifetime record in finals at this tournament. It is the only Masters 1000 event he has never won, but a resurgent former world No. 1 has once again given himself a chance. Djokovic’s comeback from 2017 was once slow-going, but he captured a fourth Wimbledon title and has bounced back from a Toronto loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas with victories this week over Steve Johnson, Adrian Mannarino, Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic, and Marin Cilic. The 10th seed has won each of his last four matches in three sets.
Federer’s workload was extensive on Friday, when he played twice in the span of about eight hours and picked up wins at the expense of Leonardo Mayer and Stan Wawrinka. The world No. 2 preceded those results by beating Peter Gojowyczk and he followed them up with a second-set retirement from David Goffin on Saturday night (Federer took the opener in a tiebreaker).
Federer is now 46-8 lifetime in Cincinnati and one win away from an eighth tile.
“It [is] the greatest challenge in Cincinnati, without a doubt–especially here–because he’s been dominating this tournament historically,” Djokovic said of a final against one of his biggest rivals. “He won against me several times in finals. Obviously he feels great in these conditions and this surface.”
Pick: Federer in 2
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Fed should be coming forward more instead of staying at the baseline! He’s rushed by Djoko instead of rushing Djoko the way he did in the past.
I have to remember to settle down…this is very good entertainment win or lose!
What a pass! woohoo!!
Better if Nole wins though, for sure, no?
yes, *nervous lol
Why better? Djoko a bigger threat to Rafa than Fed is, looking at the way Fed is playing now! Rafa will suffer again in the hands of Djoko as it’s HCs all the way now till MC next year. Funny some Rafa fans are gunning for Djoko to win and becoming his invincible self again!
I know Djoko will be the ultimate goat, just not wishing Rafa has to suffer against him again so soon.
Vamoooooooooooos! What a return of serve.
that was an AWFUL service game by Fed
Djokovic did nothing
Federer’s age is beating him. He’s very weak today. Missing easy shots, making silly unforced. Disappointed.
Djokovic across the net makes Fed play – awful sometimes.
And vice versa…
@ vmk1
Please, dont use VAMOS for Novak!! Thank you!!
Djoko rising!
Peak Djoko in that game to break!
Vamos!!! I mean ajde!!!
Novak just had to show up today to win this title. Nothing more.
nightmarish stuff
it’s one match, calm down
Nole never won a set vs fed in Cincy before today.
Two more points.
Perfect finish for Novak going into USO. He will be top dog, man to beat!! This is truly disappointing!!
You can see it in his eyes that ‘I cant lose’ mentality!! Nobody is beating him at USO!! Choops!!
The way Fed is playing, he won’t be a threat at the USO!
Djoko will be a serious contender at the USO, and I hope it won’t be a start to another 7 in a row wins over Rafa, as it’s HCs all the way now till MC next year.
it’s one match, calm down
Yes please calm down! Honestly, peoplecread so much into these warm up tournaments. This win does not mean that Novak is the favorite and Fed has no chance!
Fed should not be dismissed over this loss.
If Fed can’t win a BO3 match on his favourite fast HC, you think he can win the title in BO5 slower USO court?
Three more points.
#AnyoneButFed
Tsame 😉
Four more points.
Federer will break here.
He has to improve or retire.
Novak came out playing so much better in this match. He was ready for Fed. This is going to be sweet for Novak if he wins this straight sets and gets the Masters slam.
Nole missing opportunities. Nervous mistakes.
Come on, Idemo! Please make him serve this out directly.
Three more points
What is missing for Rafa to get Masters slam?
Miami and Paris.
Many – Miami, Shanghai, Paris. He’s missing WTF too.
15-all.
Federer will break.
Two more points.
Miami and PAris. Shanghai too if you dont want to count the Madrid which Shanghai replaced
30-all.
Federer will break.
Championship point!