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| Roger Federer winds back the clock to beat David Ferrer in Cincinnati | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| For a 33-year-old father of four Roger Federer is growing younger by the day. If he can peak in New York next week after winning the 22nd Masters 1000 title of his career here on Sunday, he will scare a field peopled by nervous peers and ambitious contenders. He might not win it but he will give his army of worshippers plenty to feel good about. | |
| “I’m happy how I’m playing,” he said of the third title victory of his encouraging year, a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 win over David Ferrer, who again walked from the court smiling sheepishly, as if merely happy to be in such illustrious company. | “I’m happy how I’m playing,” he said of the third title victory of his encouraging year, a 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 win over David Ferrer, who again walked from the court smiling sheepishly, as if merely happy to be in such illustrious company. |
| “I know I didn’t beat Rafa [Nadal, absent injured] and Novak [Djokovic, embarrassed in the third round by Tommy Robredo] here but you an only beat who you play. Clearly I can’t wait for the US Open but I need some rest too.” | |
| Well, he did beat Milos Raonic going away in the semi-final, shocking the young Canadian who was hitting a decent pitch. And he forgot the come-from-behind straight-sets embarrassment he inflicted on Andy Murray in the quarters, too, apparently. Self-deprecation some times can blur the memory. | |
| All was well on Planet Federer on a mild mid-west afternoon, though, the sort folks might choose to illuminate with a barbecue while keeping half an eye on the tennis. Roger was beating up the Spaniard with the mien of a maltreated puppy, waltzing through the first set in pursuit of his sixth trophy here, when Ferrer, a mere 32, turned into a snarling Rottweiler and made life distinctly unpleasant for the elegant Swiss. | |
| This was the first Masters 1000 final between two thirtysomethings in the 24 years of the competition, but the fourth in a Tour final this year. Those are remarkable numbers for the chasing herd to contemplate. | This was the first Masters 1000 final between two thirtysomethings in the 24 years of the competition, but the fourth in a Tour final this year. Those are remarkable numbers for the chasing herd to contemplate. |
| Ultimately the tenacious Ferrer could do little to stop the world No3 winning because he ran out of tricks, frustrated by Federer’s uncanny timing in closing down the court after every heavy groundstroke. He was winning points without hitting the ball. | |
| When Federer broke Ferrer for 11th time he had posted his 16th straight win over a competitor who seems condemned to be the sport’s punchbag at the business end of major tournaments. | When Federer broke Ferrer for 11th time he had posted his 16th straight win over a competitor who seems condemned to be the sport’s punchbag at the business end of major tournaments. |
| The high point of the drama, however, arrived in the second set. It is six years since Federer had dropped a second set to love. “It was a tough beginning,” he said. “That was David’s best stretch. He was able to keep going. Next thing I’m down four-zip. Got a bit lucky. Thought he was getting a little bit tired and I got over the line in the end.” | |
| Federer has got over the line that really matters 17 times in majors. What are his chances of doing it one more time? Good to very good – but probably not quite as good as those of Serena Williams, also “marooned” on 17 grand slam titles, but whose return to form beating Ana Ivanovic 6-4, 6-1 in just over an hour to win the women’s final encouraged the belief that she can, indeed, win at Flushing Meadows. | |
| She stroked 12 aces and made only 14 unforced errors – in marked contrast to her mistake-riddled win over Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-finals on Saturday. | |
| However, even underdone – as she has been for some time – Williams is too strong for nearly anyone in the game. Her serve, shaky at first, grew in power and precision in the final and she had too many free points in the bag for Ivanovic to mount a sustained response. Once she had broken the Serb’s resistance, Williams strolled to the finish, serving out to love with two aces. | However, even underdone – as she has been for some time – Williams is too strong for nearly anyone in the game. Her serve, shaky at first, grew in power and precision in the final and she had too many free points in the bag for Ivanovic to mount a sustained response. Once she had broken the Serb’s resistance, Williams strolled to the finish, serving out to love with two aces. |
| Earlier, the Bryan brothers, Mike and Bob, were hugely popular winners against the rising duo of Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil, taking the doubles title 6-3, 6-2 without fuss, as well as evening the score after losing to them in the Wimbledon final. It was a first loss as a young team for American Sock and his Canadian partner. | Earlier, the Bryan brothers, Mike and Bob, were hugely popular winners against the rising duo of Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil, taking the doubles title 6-3, 6-2 without fuss, as well as evening the score after losing to them in the Wimbledon final. It was a first loss as a young team for American Sock and his Canadian partner. |
| The Bryans, meanwhile, posted their 99th victory – something for the kids to aim at. Always good to watch, doubles just got more interesting. | The Bryans, meanwhile, posted their 99th victory – something for the kids to aim at. Always good to watch, doubles just got more interesting. |