Federer, Djokovic set up clash in Cincinnati finals

Perfection sometimes in tennis is seeing Roger Federer in full flight. I’m pleased with how I’m playing.

No man’s land is now Federer’s center stage.

He’s 0-4 career in the finals at Cincinnati, where he’s never even won a set. The world number one will take on world number three Roger Federer in the final of the last Masters 1000 event leading into the US Open.

In his first service game after treatment, Djokovic wasn’t landing his first serve but didn’t appear to be in any pain either. And a close to flawless performance is what it may take to beat Federer in Cincinnati. “It’s a boy” – but he and his team will be more candid with each other in private conversations on the eve of the final major of the season. And I was able to do that.

“He had that one bad game at the beginning of the second set, which made the difference in the match“.

Dimitrov led a set and two breaks before Murray hauled the second set back. Djokovic never recovered. A final against Roger is I think the best and the biggest challenge and the best final I can get in this moment. “I hope to take the momentum into the next match”. Nearly got myself back in the match today, and I just didn’t return as well as I would have liked.

This 41st meeting between future Hall of Famers, was a victory on multiple fronts with a few potential repercussions for Federer.

He re-established his serve as an imposing weapon.

Federer beat him in 2009 and 2012, and on Saturday Djokovic came close to a repeat of last year’s shock exit. He can’t let Federer break him.

“It is a bit insane to be quite honest, but it is working out some”, Federer told McEnroe and Cahill on ESPN afterward. “And maybe it messes around with an opponent”. Djokovic has won their last three matches.

After a seven-minute rest, he still could not slow Djokovic’s charge. It was a short stay for the Scot at the World No. 2 position this time around and the change comes just in time for Federer. First, he lasered a one-handed backhand down the line over the Michelob Ultra sign affixed to net. Murray barely every had the chance to push Federer around the court. Djokovic closed out the 67-minute set with a forehand victor.

It was Federer’s first tournament since he lost to Djokovic in the finals at Wimbledon.

Losing the tie break extended an ignominious streak: It was the ninth straight set four-time finalist Djokovic had lost in a Cincinnati final.

Djokovic will enter the 2015 US Open perhaps a little on the cold side. Undeterred, Dolgopolov broke right back at love. Federer’s return statistics were decent against Murray winning 45 percent of second serve points. He gritted through another one, taking control by winning five consecutive games in the second set. Djokovic’s serve is nowhere near as strong as Federer’s. Federer sealed a sharp win in 90 minutes. If Djokovic can’t break, Federer will be in good shape.

“I think this is more fun for me rather than playing defense”.

A good draw for Federer would pit him against someone like David Ferrer in a late round match. “It’s really exciting for me“.