RICKY DIMON’S PREVIEW AND PICK FOR THE CINCINNATI TENNIS FINALS: FEDERER VS. DJOKOVIC

Photo by EPA

 

We have seen this story before: Roger Federer looks borderline unbeatable in a win over Andy Murray only to get taken out by Novak Djokovic one round later.

 

It most recently happened at Wimbledon earlier this summer, when Federer turned in virtuoso performance to defeat Murray 7-5, 7-5, 6-4. Two days after that, though, Djokovic denied the Swiss’ bid for a 15th Grand Slam title by triumphing 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3.

 

But this time it feels different heading into the final of the Western & Southern Open on Sunday. Federer is well-rested after skipping last week’s Rogers Cup in Montreal and he is quite simply in outstanding form. The world No. 3 punched his ticket to another Cincinnati final with convincing victories over Roberto Bautista Agut, Kevin Anderson, Feliciano Lopez, and then Murray. Federer is returning aggressively and serving incredibly, with zero donations of serve through four matches and only three break points (all against Lopez) that had to be saved.

 

Djokovic, on the other hand, is coming off a runner-up finish to Murray in Montreal. The hard-court swing may already be taking its toll on the top-seeded Serb, who suffered from an apparent stomach problem during a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 comeback at the expense of Alexandr Dolgopolov on Saturday. Djokovic preceded that result by getting the best of Benoit Paire, David Goffin (the Belgian led by a double-break in the third set), and Stan Wawrinka.

 

Federer also has an edge in terms of past history at this tournament. The 34-year-old is a six-time champion after lifting the winner’s trophy yet again in 2014. For Djokovic, however, this is the only Masters 1000 event he has never won.

 

“It’s always exciting playing against him,” Federer assured. “There’s always a lot at stake–this one in particular. He’s going for that golden Masters 1000…to win all of them…which would be quite unbelievable. It is quite extraordinary to be able to achieve that. (He’s) not quite there yet, but still unbelievably close.”

 

But how close? A decided edge in current form this week goes to Federer, who may continue to pounce on service returns and force the issue at net. Djokovic’s timing has been terrible in Cincinnati even in neutral rallies. If his time is taken away by an aggressive opponent, problems may only magnify.

 

The top seed, himself, admitted his level could be raised–and he also touched on the subject of this elusive Cincinnati title.

 

“(The) match is (just) a match [at] the end of the day,” Djokovic commented. “Of course somewhere in back of your mind you do have that awareness of what’s at stake, but generally it’s a match like any other. A final against Roger is I think the best and the biggest challenge and the best final I can get in this moment. I know what I need to do. Hopefully I’ll be able to lift up a notch my game at least a few levels higher so I can be in a good position to win it.”

 

There is no real reason to think Djokovic will suddenly flip a switch from mediocrity to flawlessness. And a close to flawless performance is what it may take to beat Federer in Cincinnati.

 

Pick: Federer in 2

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Andy Murray, ATP Cincinnati, Cincy Tennis, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roger Federer, sports news, Tennis, Western and Southern Open

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