Djokovic beats Dolgopolov to reach Cincinnati Masters final

Sport360 staff 09:49 23/08/2015
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  • Cannot knock Novak out: Djokovic showed immense strength and durability.

    World number one Novak Djokovic battled back to beat Ukrainian qualifier Alexandr Dolgopolov 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 yesterday to reach the final of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters.

    Djokovic, seeking a 20th ATP Masters 1000 title, will today face Roger Federer after he beat Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6, (8/6).

    The Serb will be aiming to complete his boxed set of Masters titles, with Cincinnati the only one of the nine elite events missing from his resume. “[Djokovic] just plays more carefully on the big points,” said Dolgopolov.

    “You have to beat him and go for the risk. “I really believed I can win and my game is enough to beat him.

    “It was just the situation. You know, those few points decided everything.

    “Today I thought I belonged there with my game. Even though I wasn’t 100 per cent happy with my game today, I think I believed I could win.”

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    But with the start of the US Open just nine days away, Djokovic needed on-court treatment from the tournament doctor, and pain-killing medication after he complained of tightness in his abdomen early in the second set.

    At that point, the 66th-ranked Dolgopolov – who also had on-court treatment to have his feet taped – was making Djokovic work to stay afloat.

    Djokovic gained the upper hand in the second set with a break for a 5-3 lead, but Dolgopolov broke back to push the set to a tiebreak in which the Ukrainian led 3-0 and 5-4 before Djokovic managed to level the match at a set apiece.

    From there, Djokovic took control, breaking Dolgopolov twice for a 4-1 lead in the third en route to the victory in two hours and 20 minutes and his 10th consecutive ATP final.

    The outcome mirrored their most recent prior meeting, in which Djokovic defeated Dolgopolov 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-0 in the round of 16 at the Miami Masters.

    To claim a first Cincinnati title, Djokovic will have to get past sixtime champion Federer. The latter can now reclaim the World No2 ranking from Murray by lifting the title in Cincinnati.

    Such a move would come just in time for the US Open seedings, which will be announced next week.

    Djokovic and Federer are tied on 20 wins apiece in meetings between them. It will be their fifth encounter of the year, Federer winning on the hard courts of Dubai and Djokovic emerging in Indian Wells, Rome and Wimbledon. The Swiss took just 38 minutes to claim the opener, earning a quick break in the third game.

    Serve dominated 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.

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