Cincinnati Masters, Day 6 Action: Federer and Djokovic To Face Off In Finals
August 22, 2009 · Print This Article
Cincinnati—The implications of a Roger Federer win over Andy Murray today, held much more than a trip to the finals of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters for the Swiss.
Federer had won numerous Masters 1000 events throughout his illustrious career, which had included two trips to the podium in Cincinnati. To say that Roger Federer had “been there and done that” in the grandest stages that tennis had to offer, would be an understatement.
However, one critical stat of importance which could defiantly tarnish the Swiss’ career accolades when he retires is the current sub-par H2H standing he holds with his chief rivals.
Going into today’s match-up with No. 3 seed Andy Murray, Federer trailed 6-2 in the pairs H2H. Although Federer held 15 Grand Slam titles and Murray had yet to win one, the fact that the Swiss had not defeated his Scottish opponent for the most part, meant the current No. 1 would have a serious blemish on his resume if the record could not be reversed.
With the thought of a comprehensive win on his mind, Federer began today’s match with very little in the way of a full out aggressive game-style.
“I stayed aggressive,” assessed Federer. ”I was always looking to make the plays, and I think in the end I deserved to win just because I wasn’t scared to go after my shots. And I think I served well today. It was just overall a very good performance.”
Serving well was perhaps the underlying component to Federer’s win today. He won 100 percent of his first serve points in set one, only to lose a total of four first serve points in set two. The comprehensive serving performance by the Swiss ended with four aces and 89 percent of his total first serve points won.
Murray by contrast couldn’t muster up a single break-point opportunity on the day, striking 10 aces and winning 72 percent of his first serve points. Murray also squandered two sets points in the second set tie-break, and finally unraveled on Federer’s match-point by donating a double fault.
Murray’s loss denied him an opportunity of capturing the elusive double of winning in Canada and Cincinnati. The defending champ will lose 640 points for his defeat, with the winner this week collecting 1000.
The Scot will remain No. 2 heading into the US Open regardless of how Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic finish.
“I played seven, I thought, very solid matches. And then yesterday (against Benneteau) and today weren’t so good. That could come have down to a combination of things: My opponent was playing well, my level dropping slightly. In both matches I just started a little bit sluggish and then managed to find my game. I don’t know if that’s a sort of mental fatigue thing or not just playing consecutive days a lot,” said Murray.
“It was good for my fitness to get used to the heat and the conditions. Any of the guys will tell you that playing in this heat these back-to-back weeks is very difficult to do well in both of them. I think I’ve had a good, good few weeks. It’s been perfect preparation for the US Open. I’ll go there this evening or tomorrow and rest up for a couple days and train hard before it starts.”
As mentioned the win for Federer is a substantial one. He had lost to Murray on four straight occasions, and needed to reclaim a degree of momentum over one his main rivals heading into New York.
I get ask the question “who do you think is the greatest player of all time,” quite a lot. And my response often times is Federer. However, when I answer that question, I make sure I throw in the asterisks of his losing H2H record against both Andy Murray as well as Rafael Nadal.
Well, there is no time like the present to rid oneself a losing label. Federer positively improved his career record with Murray by winning today, and he will have to do much of the same tomorrow when he battles Novak Djokovic.
Although Federer leads Djokovic in the pairs H2H 7-4, the Swiss has lost the last two meetings with the Serb, as well as three of the last five hard court meetings.
Djokovic advanced to his fourth Masters 1000 final of the season after a resounding 6-1, 6-4 win over No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal.
The Serb began the match by exploiting the tentative movement of the Spaniard. Before he knew it, Nadal was down one-set-to-love, on the heels of being broken on two occasions and only winning 46 percent of his first serve points. A stat which is unheard of for the Mallorcan.
The second set saw a much tighter score-line between the two Grand Slam champs. Nadal cautiously gained a single break-point mid-way the second set, only to have it snatched away by another blistering Djokovic first serve.
After prolonging the inevitable, Rafa once again finished second place, in as many weeks, to a player who was fitter and more match tough.
The analysis of the Spaniard’s game continues to be very similar to last week. He is definitely hitting the ball well and will need time develop his patterns of confidence, along with his foot speed. Once those variables are in place, the old Rafa should be as good as new.
With Nadal and Murray sitting out of this weeks final festivities, Federer and Djokovic will step in and clash in their second Masters 1000 final.
Going into Sunday’s final, Djokovic remains the man with much more to lose. Federer’s ultimate goal this week was to gain some match play, and if possible, defeat Murray or Nadal—he has already accomplished both.
On the other hand, Djokovic could use a big title going into the US Open. His year-to-date has included very little head-way in the Majors, with only Dubai and Belgrade gracing his trophy cabinet.
Federer will undoubtedly be looking to avoid three straight losses to Djokovic. Pride is a grand component of the Swiss’ game, and constantly losing to the same opponent does not sit well with him.
The serve of both competitors has been stellar all week, and tomorrow’s contest will likely come down to a few breaks of serve, wrapped around a tie-breaker or two.
All in all, another great Masters 1000 final is on deck.
Please check back on Sunday, when I will have a complete finals wrap-up from the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, from Mason, Ohio.
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