Roger Federer showed he will be the man to beat at the U.S. Open, after blasting past Novak Djokovic to clinch the Cincinnati Masters title for a record fifth time. In the women's final, Li Na got the better of Angelique Kerber to take home the crown.
Federer, who humbled Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-final, got off to an unbelievable start against last year's best player, winning the opening set 6-0. The second set saw Djokovic wake up from his slumber, pushing the set to a tie-break. Federer, however, held his nerves in a tense tie-breaker to clinch the match 6-0, 7-6 (9-7).
"I'm obviously very happy. If I remember correctly, this was the first win here I had also after I had twins, right? So it's great coming back here," Federer said.
"I've been able to win five. It's obviously incredible because I remember the first few here I struggled. Now looking back it's just unbelievable. Plus this was probably the best week ever here in Cincinnati for me never dropping my serve and all that stuff and beating Novak in the final.
"This was very sweet. No doubt about it."
Federer was delighted to bounce back after suffering a crushing loss to Andy Murray in the finals of the London Olympics.
"I came here and never dropped my serve," an elated Federer said. "That's the kind of reaction I wanted to see from myself.
"I didn't have a letdown. Even though I reached almost all goals already this year by securing a medal, winning Wimbledon, and getting back it World No. 1, it's important for me to push forward and give myself the best possible preparation for New York."
Federer is looking forward to competing in the final Grand Slam of the year at Flushing Meadows, where he will bid for his 18th Grand Slam.
"It's a completely different atmosphere in New York," the Swiss great said. "The pressure is going to be different.
"There will be a lot talk from here until the first ball is struck over there. I know I have a great record against guys outside of the Top 30. I would think that's who I'll face in the first round.
"But it nevertheless could be a tough matchup. I have to look at that match and really not a whole lot further."
Djokovic was disappointed with his performance, but said he was confident of going one better at the U.S. Open.
"It was a final today, so I really wanted to win," the world number two said. "There is no question about it. Maybe playing couple weeks in a row, four weeks in a row, got to me maybe mentally. Physically it didn't. I felt OK on the court.
"The conditions here are quite different from the U.S. Open. It's a bit slower there, which I think goes in my favor a little bit more. More suitable to my style of the game.
"I'm going to have a week that I think is very necessary for me right now mentally and physically."
In the women's final of the Western & Southern Open, Li edged out Kerber 1-6, 6-3, 6-1. "Last night, I really want to win the title for first one, you know, because this year I got three times in the final, but I never won one title. So I was really hungry for the title," the Chinese said.
