The Swiss, who sits at No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, is hoping to wrestle the No. 2 spot away from the Scot with a successful title defence in Cincinnati. Murray surged to the second position with his run to the Montreal title last week. He was bidding to become the seventh player in the Open Era to claim the Canada/Cincinnati ATP World Tour Masters 1000 double.
Federer pounced early on Saturday, earning a quick break in the third game of the first set. He would consolidate for 3-1 and pressed for a second break with a 0/30 peak at Murray's next service game. He would claim the opener in 38 minutes with a forehand winner down the line - his 14th winner of the set. Both players would ride their serves to a tie-break in the second set, where 23-time Masters 1000 champion Federer converted on his second match point at 7/6 with a crisp drop shot half-volley winner. He dominated in longer rallies throughout, winning 12 of 17 of nine shots or more and has now earned 35 straight service holds in the rivalry, dating back to Cincinnati last year.
Federer owns a 14-11 edge in the FedEx ATP Head2Head series, having previously dominated their lone encounter this year in the Wimbledon semi-finals. He has won the past 10 sets played in the rivalry, spanning five consecutive wins since 2014.
The second seed will renew his titanic rivalry with Novak Djokovic on Sunday, knotted at 20 wins apiece. It will be their fifth encounter of the year, with Federer winning on the hard courts of Dubai and Djokovic emerging in Indian Wells, Rome and Wimbledon.
Who thinks it's time for Federer to finally get the better of the Djoker? (I'm sick of seeing Roger lose to this guy).
There might just be a chance, Djokovic is not playing as sharp as usual.
Time to turn the tide. Go Roger!.
No comments:
Post a Comment