Federer dominates for record 5th title at Cincy

8/20/2012
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roger Federer defeated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 7-6 (7) in the Western & Southern Open final. He won the first set in 20 minutes. Li Na of China captured the women's crown.
Roger Federer defeated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 7-6 (7) in the Western & Southern Open final. He won the first set in 20 minutes. Li Na of China captured the women's crown.

MASON, Ohio -- Roger Federer finds a lot to like about Cincinnati -- the big crowds for his matches, the quiet time away from the court, the way his game seems to come together on the fast, blue courts.

Probably helps that he often takes home the trophy, too.

Make it five for Federer.

The world's top-ranked player won a record fifth Cincinnati title Sunday, dominating second-ranked Novak Djokovic in an unprecedented way at the start of a 6-0, 7-6 (7) win for the Western & Southern Open championship.

China's Li Na won her first title of the season, overcoming an awful first set to beat Germany's Angelique Kerber in the women's final.

After finishing second three times this season, Li finally got a trophy with her 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory. She lost in the final at Montreal a week earlier, and appeared headed for another disappointment after her poor showing in the first set.

Kerber wore down during long rallies, grabbing her ankle at times. Li broke her serve by winning a 24-point game of the second set, putting her in control. Li hadn't won a tournament since 2011, when she won at Sydney and the French Open.

Federer, 31, has enjoyed many of his one-week visits. None was better than this.

"Looking back, it's just unbelievable," Federer said. "This was probably the best week for me here in Cincinnati. I didn't lose a set. This is very sweet, no doubt about it."

Federer heads to the U.S. Open feeling healthy and fine-tuned. He skipped the Rogers Cup in Toronto last week, giving himself some time to recover from the Olympics in London.

He's also regained the upper hand against one of the players who stands in his way.

Djokovic had put together a run of three straight wins over Federer in tournament semifinals, starting with the U.S. Open last year. Federer turned it around by beating the Serb in the semis at Wimbledon.

"It was a final today, so I really wanted to win," Djokovic said. "Maybe playing couple weeks in a row, four weeks in a row, got to me maybe mentally. Physically it didn't. I felt OK on the court."