Djokovic beats Federer for 2nd US Open title, 10th major

Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) and Roger Federer of Switzerland pose with their trophies after their men's singles final match. — AFP

New York, September 14: Novak Djokovic clinched his third Grand Slam title of 2015 and 10th career major with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 triumph over sentimental favourite Roger Federer in the US Open final today. Shrugging off a three-hour rain delay and the overwhelming hostility of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, the 28-year-old world number one captured his second title in New York to add to his 2011 triumph. The defeat shattered 34-year-old Federer's bid to become the oldest US Open champion in 45 years and left him marooned on 17 Grand Slam titles, the last of which came at Wimbledon in 2012. Djokovic added the US Open title to his Australian Open and Wimbledon victories this year. Had it not been for a heartbreaking loss to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final in June, the rock-solid Serb would have been celebrating a rare calendar Grand Slam. Djokovic's 10 majors takes him level with American Bill Tilden and just one shy of Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on the all-time list. Federer was ultimately undone by 54 unforced errors and is ability to convert just four of 23 break points. "I have tremendous respect for Roger and the challenge he presents," said Djokovic, who is now 21-21 in career meetings with Federer. "He's the best player ever. I knew I needed to play my best in order to win. It's an incredible evening." He added: "I love this sport and all these achievements are incentive for me to keep on going." Federer insisted he would be back to try again in 2016. "I love tennis. I'll see you back here next year," said the veteran. "I'm pleased with where my game is, but playing a great champion like Novak is always difficult." With the likes of Robert Redford, Sean Connery and David Beckham watching, and with Eva Asderaki-Moore making history as the first woman to umpire the men's singles final, Djokovic was dialled in from the start despite heavy rain forcing a three-hour delay and an evening start. He forced five-time champion Federer, playing in his first US Open final in six years, to save three break points in a six-minute opening game. The top seed held to love and then broke for 2-1 --- it was just the third time in 84 service games at the tournament that the Swiss veteran had been broken. However, with the playing surface still damp from the hours of rain, the Serb suffered a worrying fall in the next game, turning over on his right ankle and bloodying his elbow. Federer pounced to retrieve the break but the Serb was soon back in the ascendancy and Federer was broken again in the seventh game. Federer saved a set point in the ninth, but conceded the first set with a netted backhand in the 10th game. —AFP. Source: Article

Read More........ → September 14, 2015

Record breaker Federer stuns Djokovic to win fifth Cincinnati Masters title in straight sets

Proud: Roger Federer won a record fifth Cincinnati Masters title

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER: Roger Federer bounced back from his Olympic final defeat in sensational style by comfortably seeing off Novak Djokovic to win the Western & Southern Open title. The world number one was beaten in straight sets by Andy Murray on the Wimbledon grass at London 2012, with the Scot avenging his loss in the final at SW19 to the Swiss four weeks earlier. But Federer has shown no signs of self-pity this week and brushed aside world number two Djokovic 6-0 7-6 (9/7) in 80 minutes to collect his fifth Cincinnati trophy and his 21st Masters 1000 crown - equalling Rafael Nadal's record.  

Record breaker: Federer cruised to victory over Novak Djokovic in straight sets

Neither player had dropped serve all week but Djokovic started sloppily, with Federer breaking in the opening game. Djokovic, who earned quick revenge for his Olympic defeat to Juan Martin del Potro with a 6-3 6-2 success yesterday, could not recover and Federer broke twice more to surprisingly wrap up the opening set in convincing fashion after just 20 minutes. Federer was in opportunistic mood, Easy does it: Federer won the first set against Djokovic in just 20 minutes

converting three of four break-point chances although Djokovic only put 50 per cent of his first serves in play and aided his opponent's cause with four double faults. It was the first time Federer had 'bagelled' the Australian Open champion and perhaps stung into action, Djokovic looked a lot more comfortable in a tighter second set, where there were nobreak point opportunities for either player. In the tie-break, the 25-year-old Serb held set point at 7-6 but it was ruthlessly wiped out by some attacking play at the net from Federer, who then closed out the match with two spectacular forehand winners. 'He started off really well and I made a lot of double faults and errors,' said Djokovic, who has now lost in all four of his Cincinnati finals. 

Out of sorts: Djokovic never recovered after being hammered 6-0 in the first set

Struggle: Djokovic was unable to compete with the world No 1

'I had my chances in the second set and I missed them and he deserved the win,' added the Serb. The were no service breaks in the second set as Djokovic finally found his touch but Federer's outstanding backhand defence made for some entertaining rallies. The Swiss missed out on match-point in the tiebreak but made no mistake at the second attempt, a superb forehand winner putting an end to the contest. In the women's event, Li Na recovered from a poor first set performance to win her first final of the season at the

Champion; Li Na of China holds up the championship trophy after defeating Angelique Kerber

4th time of asking.The ninth-seeded Chinese player, beaten at the final stage in events at Sydney, Rome andMontreal, lost the first set at the Lindner Tennis Centre to fifth seed Angelique Kerber 6-1. However, she responded well to win the second set 6-3 and square the contest, before completing an impressive turnaround with a 6-1 third set triumph. It gave the 30-year-old a sixth WTA career title against a player who suffered defeat in a final for the second week in a row, following her loss to Petra Kvitova in the Rogers Cup last week. TSource: Travelfwd+

Read More........ → August 28, 2012

Roger Federer bids adieu: It has been a perfect journey, I would do it all over again

Swiss maestro Roger Federer termed his glittering career "perfect journey" after he bid adieu to competitive tennis following his last dance at the Laver Cup. Federer played his last match alongside longtime on-court rival Rafael Nadal in a doubles event at the O2 Arena in London. Representing Team Europe, the duo, often called as 'Fedal', lost to Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6(2)-7, 9-11 on Friday (September 23). The result, however, didn't matter as the occasion was all about the retirement of one of the greatest players who served tennis. And for Federer, it was indeed a wonderful day. "It's been a perfect journey," Federer said in his on-court interview. "I would do it all over again." "We will get through this somehow - will we, right? Look, it has been a wonderful day. I told the guys I am happy. I am not sad. So it feels great to be here. "And, of course, playing with Rafa on the same team and having the guys, everybody here, all the legends, Rocket (Rod Laver), Edberg, Stefan, thank you. I am so happy I made it through and the match was great. I could not be happier. So it has been wonderful." Plenty of tears followed the match, with Federer hugging Nadal and opponents Sock and Tiafoe. The scenes were full of affection as the crowd clapped for Federer from the stands. Federer's family, including wife Mirka, four kids and parents, joined the legendary player on the court afterward. Although the match was a bitter-sweet affair, the farewell was nothing short of a fairytale as Federer's teammates and opponents carried him in the air to celebrate his contribution. The 20-time major singles champion last week announced that he would retire at the three-day Laver Cup. Federer then confirmed that the doubles match alongside Nadal would be his final match. Copyright © Jammu Links News Source: Jammu Links News

Read More........ → September 26, 2022