Federer wins Cincinnati Masters
August 24, 2010 13:00:05 UK
Roger Federer gave himself the perfect warm up for the US Open by clinching his 17th Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati yesterday.
In a match dominated by the serve, the world number two got the better of home favourite Mardy Fish to clinch a 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 triumph.
It was a perfect match for both of us, but only one can win it.
Roger Federer
The outcome means Federer is in perfect shape to regain the crown at Flushing Meadows after his run of five successive titles was ended by Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro last year.
Despite his defeat, Fish can also take a great deal of confidence to New York after seeing off Andy Murray and Andy Roddick en route to the final.
The American certainly held his own against Federer although the few opportunities which did arise fell the way of the former world number one.
Federer held four break points in the first set - including one set point - but was unable to execute.
And he paid the price as Fish upped his game to clinch the tie-break.
The second set followed a similar pattern with both players struggling to gain any fluency on their returns.
Fish had the only break point which came and went.
This time it was Federer who found the reserves to up the tempo in the breaker, clinching it for the loss of just one point to take the match all the way.
A third tie-break seemed on the cards only for Fish to lose concentration for a moment, allowing Federer a break point at 4-4 which he converted when the American netted a routine backhand.
Federer showed his opponent no mercy by serving it out with ease to claim his fourth title in Cincinnati.
"It was a perfect match for both of us," Federer said afterwards, "but only one can win it.
"Mardy played fantastic."
2010 US Open - To Win Outright
Roger Federer 3.25
Rafael Nadal 3.75
Andrew Murray 3.75
Novak Djokovic 12.00
David Nalbandian 15.00
Robin Soderling 19.00
Tomas Berdych 17.00
Andy Roddick 15.00
Mardy Fish 29.00
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