After reaching the title fight in 2008, Novak Djokovic was again one of the players to beat in Cincinnati a year later. The Serb met Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on his way to the title and overcame the first obstacle in style after beating the Spaniard 6-1, 6-4 in the semifinals in an hour and 32 minutes.
Novak defeated Nadal for the fifth time in 19 encounters to reach the 10th Masters 1000 final and prepare for the title fight against Federer a day later. Nadal only played the second tournament after Roland Garros and tendinitis in both knees and displaced three opponents to make it to the semi-finals.
He had no chance against Djokovic, however, as the Serb had an advantage from start to finish on serve and return. Novak fired 21 winners and scored 15 points more than Rafa, defending the only breakpoint he faced and stealing the opponent’s serve three times for a place in the final.
The Serb extended the decisive lead in the shorter distance to four strokes and outplayed the Spaniard to end the streak of bad luck against one of the biggest rivals. Novak broke out with a backhand in the fourth game of the first set and a few minutes later fired one from his right wing to confirm the lead and advance 4-1.
Nadal missed a backhand in the sixth game, and Djokovic secured the first set with a winning serve shortly afterwards. Rafa saved three break chances early in the second set and finished him with an ace to end his fall.
The Spaniard served in the fourth game and missed a backhand to suffer a break and push the Serbs forward 3-2.
Haas talks about Federer
Tommy Haas believes that while Roger Federer is happy with his career so far, the Swiss still has a burning desire to make another comeback on tour and withdraw on his own terms.
The German pointed out that Roger was still “hungry” for success and wanted the luxury of ending his illustrious career on his own terms. “He’s happy,” added Haas.
“He has no reason not to be. He knows that there is a lot of gratitude in him. He loves life. But he’s still hungry. He’s still hoping he can come back. He wants to stop when he wants to, to decide when it’s time to say you don’t like it anymore (because you are losing too much).
Roger Federer underwent a third knee operation a few weeks ago and was seen with crutches at the recent Laver Cup. “It will all depend on how he (Roger Federer) can physically overcome that (knee surgery),” said Tommy Haas. “We will have an element of an answer in March, April, May”
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