TennisReporters.net: Cincy: Federer Downs Djokovic for Title

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The Wrap, Week of August 17-23

Cincy: Federer Downs Djokovic for Title

Roger Federer

WireImage Roger stopped Murray and Novak's mo'.

Cincy: Federer Downs Djokovic for Title
SUNDAY, AUG. 23 – During the trophy presentation ceremony after his 6-1, 7-5 loss to Roger Federer in the Cincinnati final, Novak Djokovic joked (sort of): “The closest I was going to get to the first place trophy is now.”
After a vacuous first set where Federer raced about the court ripping forehands and smoothing backhands for winners. Djokovic played with more force in the second set, but couldn’t do enough with is crosscourt backhand and often pressed on his forehand side.
The 28-year-old Federer won his 16th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and now trails leader Andre Agassi by only one. He’s recorded 202 victories in Masters 1000 tournaments to Agassi’s 209. He’ll go for his sixth straight US Open crown beginning Aug. 31.
In the past four months, the 15-time Slam winner has turned around rivalries with the rest of the big four, all who owned winning streaks against him. He got over on Rafa Nadal in Madrid, against Andy Murray in the Cincy semis and then broke a two-match losing streak against Djokovic, who had taken him out in Miami and Rome. "I played awesome yesterday (against Andy Murray) as well and the whole week's been great for me,” Federer said.

Cincy: Federer to Face Djokovic
Toronto: Dementieva v. Sharapova
SATURDAY, AUG. 22 -It took seven attempts, but Roger Federer finally got over on Andy Murray outside of major. In an impressive and thoroughly aggressive performance, the Swiss took out the Scot 6-2, 7-6(8) in Cincy.
"He's a wonderful player, and he's had an incredible streak on hardcourts," Federer said of No. 2 Murray. "He's just been very consistent, and it takes a great performance to beat him these days. That's what I was able to do today.”

Federer will face Novak Djokovic in the final, who out-rallied a still rusty Rafa Nadal 6-1, 6-4. In just his second tournament back since knee problems, Nadal said beating the Serb was just "a step too far" in his comeback.

But credit the Serbian for playing much more confidently that he has much of the year, steeping gamefully into his groundstrokes and serves and not fearing the Spaniard’s heavy forehand. Djokovic’s backhand was supreme for nearly the entire night.

"It's another step,” said Nadal, who lost steam in the second set in his serve, possibly due to stomach problems.. “Physically and mentally it's difficult for me to be ready," he said.
"But I think this match is going to be a good experience for me right now to try to make this step in the U.S. Open.

While Murray wasn’t at his best at times, Federer dominated the contest with his forehand and didn’t allow the Scott to overwhelm his one-handed backhand. Plus, he served wonderfully. It was Federer’s first victory over Murray since the 08’ US Open final and the first in five tries since then.
Montreal champ Murray was still upbeat about chances in New York. “I played seven, I thought, very solid matches. And then yesterday (against Benneteau) and today weren't so good. That could have down to a combination of things: My opponent was playing well, my level dropping slightly. In both matches I just started a little bit sluggish and then managed to find my game. I don't know if that's a sort of mental fatigue thing or not just playing consecutive days a lot. I was just happy that I managed to keep it close in the second set because I returned poorly and served poorly. Against Roger, if you do both of those things, it's going to be very, very difficult…It's been perfect preparation for the U.S. Open."

Federer wasn’t the only elite player to turn the tables on a rival, when Elena Dementieva reached the Toronto final with a hearty 7-6 (2), 6-1 victory over Serena Williams, avenging two 2009 Grand Slam defeats to the American.
Dementieva did exactly hat she should have in the Aussie Open semis, exhausting Williams from inside the baseline by crosscourting her foe to death. The Russian’s down the line game was also sound, she served wonderfully and although Williams played well at times, she couldn’t get her serve or return game going enough to stay ahead in points.
“I was looking for this match especially after losing a close battle at Wimbledon,” said Dementieva, who let go of a match point in a three-set loss in the AELTC semis. “But playing on hard courts is completely different.”

Dementieva is looking for her first title since February and will face Maria Sharapova, who showed tremendous fortitude in outlasting Alisa Kleybanova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. While Sharapova wasn’t anywhere near her top level on her own service games, she returned with direction and often out-thought her big-hitting foe.
This will be Sharapova's first final since returning to the Tour in mid-May Sharapova has won eight of 10 previous meetings against Dementieva, including a thrashing at the ’08 Aussie Open, the last time time that she’s won a major.

FRIDAY, AUG. 21 -Andy Murray and Roger Federer will face off for the sixth time in the past year in the semis of the Cincinnati Masters, The new No. 2 Murray advanced with a 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory over Julien Benneteau, while Federer once again bested Lleyton Hewitt, this time 6-3, 6-4.
After Federer took him down in the ’08 US Open final, Murray has beaten him four straight times – at Madrid, the Tennis Masters Cup, Doha and Indian Wells. All those matches wert three sets and in all of them, Murray exposed Federer's backhand and out-steadied him.
But that’s not all: the top four players in the South African Airways ATP Rankings will face off in the semis, the last time being in Monte-Carlo 2008.
No. 3 Rafa Nadal over powered Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5, while Novak Djokovic beat Gilles Simon 6-4, 7-5.

Djokovic trails Nadal 4-14 in career meetings. "Maybe I'm not in the so called spotlight at the moment, but I could benefit from that," he said. " I know I'm physically fit, it's just matter of self belief."

Nadal was quite pleased.
“In normal conditions I am coming here with the goal play a good tournament and try to win the tournament. But in these conditions, being in semi-finals is perfect for me, because I think that's more confidence for the US Open. For sure it's very important, this tournament."
In Toronto, Elena Dementieva overcame Samantha Stosur 6-7 (3), 6-1 6-3, the first time post Wimbledon that Slam-less Russian is showing she’s ready to peak at the US Open. Serena Williams has finally showed up post Wimbledon, searing Lucie Safarova 6-3, 6-2.

The two will face off again, renewing their rivalry post their epic Wimbledon semi, which Serena won 6-7(4), 7-5, 8-6. Williams is 6-3 against Dementieva, including an Aussie Open semifinal victory.
Dementieva had beaten Serena three straight times before then, including at the ’08 Olympics.

Late on Thursday night, Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic both advanced, with Sharapova, taking a 6-2, 7-6 win over Vera Zvonareva, and Jankovic rallying from 3-5 down in the third set to best Kim Clijsters 1-6 6-3 7-5. Cording to out crack reporter friends in Toronto, Clijsters just couldn’t hit through JJ in the end. The Belgian was also said to have played a lousy game at 5-3.
“I’m disappointed and a little frustrated with the match last night, [but] still shows how close I am to Top five level after a few matches back,” Clijsters wrote on Twitter.
But on Friday evening, Alisa Kleybanova scored her biggest win since upsetting Ana Ivanovic at the Aussie Open in a 6-7 (8), 7-6 (7) 6-2 victory over JJ in three hours, 16 minutes.

Cincy and Toronto: Drawn & Quartered

THURSDAY, AUG. 20 - Roger Federer was pushed by a man whom usually has few problems with when he survived David Ferrer 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to earn a spot in the Cincinnati quarterfinals. Federer will play Lleyton Hewitt, who overcame Andy Roddick’s conqueror, Sam Querrey 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in 87 minutes. The Swiss owns the Aussie.
"I still think sometimes I'm playing wrong decisions out court. I'd like to play sometimes a bit more aggressive or a bit more with spin. I tend to do the opposite,” Federer said. “It's just like those little ideas you have sometimes that need to come at the right time. For that, you need matches. That's why this win today was perfect. [It] gives me another opportunity to play another match.”
Andy Murray took a tidy 6-4, 6-1 win over Radek Stepanek and will face surprise quarterfinalist Julien Benneteau, who beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(4). Novak Djokovic, who really needs a title, overcame Jeremy Chardy 7-5 6-3 and will face he winner of the Nikolay Davydenko-Gilles Simon match. BTW: John McEnroe picked either Andy Murray or Andy Roddick to win the USO. Patrick McEnroe tabbed Federer but also likes Roddick’s chances.
In Toronto, Serena Williams looks serious about winning her first non-Slam title of the year and hit through Alona Bondarenko 6-1, 6-4. Alisa Kleybanova, who hasn’t been heard from much since Australia, out-banged Aravane Rezai 6-3, 6-4, while Elena Dementieva outlasted Shahar Peer 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. Samantha Stosur wasted Virginie Razzano 6-3, 6-1 and Lucie Safarova took down Jie Zheng. Agi Radwanska perked up in a straight set win over Kateryna Bondarenko.…Antonio Van Grichen, Victoria Azarenka’s coach, recognizes that it’s been a tough US Open Series stretch for his promising player but says “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” No doubt, but Vika has to start believing that she can face down more experienced players like Sharapova and Clijsters without becoming overwrought with emotions. Her skill set is pretty much there.
The USTA gave out US Open main draw women’s wild cards to Gail Brodksy, Mallory Cecil, Alexa Glatch, Vania King, Christina McHale, France’s Kristina Mladenovic, Australian Olivia Rogowska, and 2005 US Open Champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium.
Players receiving US Open qualifying wild cards are Kristie Ahn, Lauren Embree, Irina Falcon, Nicole Gibbs, Asia Muhammad, Alison Riske, Laura Robson Sloane Stephens and reigning US Open girls’ singles champ CoCo Vandeweghe… A US Open opening night ceremony celebrating athletes who “give back” will feature two-time US Open champion Andre Agassi, soccer’s Mia Hamm, quarterback Doug Flutie and former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson. The special ceremony on Arthur Ashe Stadium court also will include an appearance by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and feature musical performances by Rob Thomas and The O’Jays. …. On Saturday night, September 5, the USTA will host a tribute to former U.S. National Champion Pancho Gonzalez… Fernando Verdasco and Nadia Petrova have been granted wildcards into Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick, August 21-29 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. Ana Ivanovic and James Blake passed on the WC’s. Svetlana Kuznetsova is also in, but Marin Cilic declined the chance to defend his title.

Clijsters Ousta Azarenka, Querrey Takes Out Roddick; Safina and Ivanovic in Crisis

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19 - Guess what’s shaping up to a potential US Open final? Kim Clijsters v. Maria Sharapova. While that possibility may seem remote to some, outside of Serena Williams and the apparent revival of Jelena Jankovic, no two players have looked as devastating they have when they’ve been on the ball during the past month. On Wednesday in Toronto, 2005 USO champ Clijsters took out No. 9 Victoria Azarenka in Toronto 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, the same up-and-comer whom Sharapova beat two weeks ago in L.A. For her part, 2006 USO champ Sharapova took a 6-3, 7-6 win over Sybille Bammer.
Top ranked Dinara Safina continued to fade, this time in a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 loss to Aravane Rezai, double faulting 17 times.
"Disaster," Safina said. "It's not my serve, it's just my brain. I know exactly what I have to do but I am not using my brain I just didn't take control of my head. I lost my temper. I had to slow down and I couldn't do the right things. I just went more and more crazy… Even my coach left the court because he says, 'It makes no sense sitting here because you do none of the things, so better to lose and do your own thing.' "I step onto the court and from the first point I am empty, I am dead. I better think what's going on. I have a big tournament (U.S. Open) coming up and I have to switch my brain as fast as I can.”
There were three other significant losses of note, when Ana Ivanovic went down to Lucie Safarova 6-3 in the third, all but signalling the end to a potentially impactful summer season, Eighth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was taken out 7-5 6-3 by China's Zheng Jie and Virginie Razzano thrashed Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-1. Neither Azarenka nor Wozniacki have shown any kind of decent form post Wimbledon that would make them serious USO contenders. The same could be said for Dominika Cibulkova, who went down to Alisa Kleybanova 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(4) . But one youngster did survive when Agnieszka Radwanska leapt past another young gal, Agnes Szavay, 6-1, 6-1. The veterans did greats, as Serena, Jankovic, Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonareva all won.
The results weren’t quite as eye popping in Cincy, but significant nonetheless, as Sam Querrey chopped down Andy Roddick in two tiebreaks. While much has been made of Roddick's near upset of Roger Federer at Wimbledon, he hasn't appeared particularly confident on the big points in his three events since then, falling to Juan Martin del Potro twice and then losing a rematch from Washington to the Southern Californian. He looks a little strained.

Roger Federer held the fort, beating Jose Acasuso 6-3 7-5 in the second round, and was joined in the winner’s circle by Novak Djokovic, who scored a 7-6, 6-4 win over Ivan Ljubicic. Montreal champ Andy Murray worked over Nicolas Almagro 7-6(3), 6-2 and Rafael Nadal pushed past Andreas Seppi 7-6(4), 7-6(3). But the big lefty Chris Guccione upended Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (12), 6-2, the same man who shocked Federer in Montreal last week. The Aussie will face Tomas Berdych.
The talented Jeremy Chardy advanced when John Isner retired down 6-7(1), 6-3, 4-1 with heat exhaustion. He's likely to pull out of New Haven.Radek Stepanek overcame a slow start to beat Marat Safin 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, who is what, another six early round losses from retirement? Nikolay Davydenko defeated Igor Kunitsyn 6-2, 1-6, 6-3, who had beaten James Blake on Tuesday in the American’s first match since Wimbledon. Blake should seriously consider taking a wild card into New Haven next week and let his J-Block pat him on the back prior to the USO. He’s only played one match since Davis Cup and really needs some competition. But...he has commercial obligations in NYC next week, including a lauch of his Fila line of clothes, and is apparently over-obligated. Mardy Fish is scheduled to play, but busted a rib and is questionable.
NCAA champ Devin Britton, 18s champ Chase Buchanan, Taylor Dent, Brendan Evans, Jesse Levine, Rajeev Ram Australian Chris Guccione and Frenchman Michael Llodra were given US Open main draw wildcards. An eighth player will also receive a main draw wild card through a reciprocal agreement with the French Tennis Federation, which granted a men’s draw wild card at the 2009 French Open to Isner, who was forced to withdraw due to illness. That wildcard could go to the once-suspended Richard Gasquet, who is said to be in NYC as we speak. He may play the New Haven qualies, that is, if the mysterious Pamela doesn't show up:)

In addition, the USTA also announced the nine men who have been awarded wild card entries into the qualifying, including: Lester Cook, Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Domijan, Ryan Harrison, Scoville Jenkins, Ryan Lipman, Tim Smyczek, Blake Strode and Michael Venus.

Venus Falls Again, Hewitt Through
TUESDAY, AUG. 18 - Venus Williams' odd form on US hardcourts continued when she dropped a 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 second round match Kateryna Bondarenko at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
Venus has failed to win a match in Canada in three trips. "I guess at this tournament I've never had a lot of luck but I guess you have to make your own luck these days," said Venus, who reached the Stanford final but also lost early in Cincy. "She just really started playing well and unfortunately I made too many errors. She kept a lot of balls in play and ran a lot of balls down. I was expecting to play well and go far in the tournament."
Ana Ivanovic, who is being accompanied by golfer Adam Scott at the event, played well enough in a 2-6 6-3 6-2. win over Magdalena Rybarikova. Alisa Kleybanova took down Canadian hopeful Aleksandra Wozniak 6-4, 6-4 and Yaroslava Shvedova beat Daniela Hantuchova 7-6(1), 7-6(4). Dominika Cibulkova finally got a win, this time over Sara Errani 6-4, 6-2.
At the Cincinnati Masters, Lleyton Hewitt saved two match points and overcame Robin Soderling 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4. “He had a great run at the French Open and also at Wimbledon, it took Roger Federer to beat him in both," Hewitt said. "He's a high seed here so for me it's nice to get through."
But Guillermo Garcia-Lopez upset Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 7-6 and will face Mikhail Youzhny, a 7-5 6-2 winner over Victor Hanescu. Chris Guccione nailed 19 aces in a 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber and will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.