Novak Djokovic gets the better of Roger Federer in a nostalgic rematch.
MASON, Ohio — Novak Djokovic gave his racket to a fan and tossed his sweatbands into the stands. No need for mementos from this victory. The longawaited Rookwood pottery trophy would be plenty.
Djokovic finally mastered the one tournament that has eluded him, beating nemesis Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday for his first Western & Southern Open championship.
He got the better of a nostalgic rematch — they had not played in two years because of injuries — and broke through in a tournament Federer has won seven times, never losing a title match.
“Thank you for letting me win once in Cincinnati,” he told Federer as they stood on court for the trophy presentation.
Masterful milestone
After reaching the final five times and losing every time — three to Federer — Djokovic jumped and punched the air in celebration of his breakthrough. He is the first to claim all nine ATP Masters 1000 events since the series started in 1990, something that had become his quest after so many close calls.
“That’s what the headline should be about — this is such an amazing accomplishment,” Federer said. “He’s the first to do it. I think it’s very difficult to win Masters 1000s. These performances don’t come easy.”
Djokovic leads their alltime series 24-22, doing better in the biggest matches. He is 3-1 against Federer in Grand Slam finals and 12-6 overall in championship matches, including wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2015.
Djokovic completed a long comeback from elbow problems by winning his fourth Wimbledon title last month and then set out to get his hardcourts game in order for the U.S. Open. He got better as the rainy week went on in Cincinnati, playing his best at the end.
“This seems to be a bit unreal, to be honest, to be back at this level,” he said.
Federer’s serve had been untouchable all week — held for 46 consecutive games. Djokovic broke that streak to go up 4-3 in the opening set, prompting Federer to mutter angrily. Djokovic served out the set, and then traded breaks with Federer early in the second set.
Federer’s game was off — 28 unforced errors — and Djokovic took advantage. He broke him again to go up 4-3 and served it out.
In the women’s bracket, top-ranked Simona Halep let a match point slip away during the second-set tiebreaker, and Kiki Bertens rallied for a 2-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2 victory in her first hardcourts final.
The Dutch clay-court specialist ended Halep’s streak of nine consecutive victories, including the title at Montreal a week earlier.
Big finish for Bertens
Bertens served a 109 mph ace, flipped her racket away, fell to her knees and raised both arms. Moments later, she covered her face for a joyous cry, wiping the tears away with her sweatsoaked blue wristband.
One point away from another loss, she had pulled off her biggest win — one that left her as stunned as everyone else.
“I cannot find words for this moment,” said Bertens, who had never beaten a top-ranked player.