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Federer has now beaten Djokovic 16 times. AP Photo/Al Behrman
Fed Express

Federer beats Djokovic in straight sets to re-assert his dominance

The Swiss maestro pulverised the Serb in the first set before a contest developed.

ROGER FEDERER WILL go into the US Open at Flushing Meadows as the odds-on favourite to claim another Grand Slam trophy following his Western and Southern Open win over Novak Djokovic.

The world number one became the first player in the Open era to win five Cincinnati titles when he bested Djokovic 6-0, 7-6.

Neither player had lost a service game coming into the final on Sunday but Djokovic was broken three times in a brutal first-set that lasted just 20 minutes and saw Federer in imperious form.

The Serb battled back in the second set and his service game was much improved. The set went to a tie-break and Djokovic had a set point at 7-6 before Federer reeled off three points in succession to win.

It improves the 31-year-old’s overall record against Djokovic to 16-12.

With the victory, Federer also tied Rafael Nadal for the most ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns with 21, adding to triumphs in Indian Wells and Madrid this season.

He has won six of the eight finals he has appeared in this season and, in July, captured his 17th Grand Slam when he defeated Andy Murray at Wimbledon.

Djokovic’s defeat was his fourth at the S&W Open. He was defeated in last year’s final by Andy Murray.

The US Open begins in New York on 27 August.

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