ATP: 150th final for Federer – “Golden Masters” for Djokovic in Cincinnati?

Will Novak Djokovic finally create his “Golden Masters” in Cincinnati? Or is Roger Federer giving the spoilsport for the fourth time there?

There are no secrets between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer: 45 games were fought between the two legends, the Serbian is just ahead with 23 wins. Federer and Djokovic duelled eight times in 2015 alone, with a score of 5:3 for the latter. Since then, however? Just one match, at the Australian Open in early 2018.

A break of two and a half years has changed a lot in the tennis landscape. Federer has returned to the squad of major champions and has reduced his account to 20 Grand Slam victories. And changed the supplier. Djokovic? Has also returned as triumphator at Wimbledon, now stands at 13 majors. And, compared to the last meeting with Federer, wears new clothes, too.

For the sixth time Novak Djokovic has now reached the final in Cincinnati, has defeated a very offensively oriented Marin Cilic in the semi-final, before in the course of his success against Milos Raonic showed great emotions. And at the same time dispose of a club professionally. As is well known, the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the state of Ohio is the only one that does not win in Djokovic’s vita, and since 2013 the father of two has all the other titles in his pocket.

Federer has been the spoilsport in Cincinnati three times (2009, 2012 and 2015), twice Andy Murray stood in the way (2008 and 2011). The Swiss will start his eighth triumph, winning 14 en suite games in the last big tournament before the US Open. And 96 times in a row he didn’t serve.

In the semi-final, Federer benefited from the task of David Goffin, who retired in the third game of the second set with a shoulder injury. Before that, Stan Wawrinka had tried his luck on his compatriot, but at 6:6 in the tiebreak of the second set he was only two points away from a victory. Federer kept his nerve, won the decisive round safely.

Federer will play his 150th final on the ATP tour on Sunday (not before 10pm, live on SKY and in our live ticker). And he knows what to expect. “I think you have to win the Big Points here in Cincinnati,” said the four-time father after his success against Goffin. “There are not many options, especially if you defend your own service well. Everything happens at breakneck speed.”

Here are the last matches between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic