(Xinhua file photo)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Serbia's Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the Cincinnati Masters final on Sunday and became the first man to win all nine ATP Masters 1,000 events since the ATP was formed in 1990.
Five years after securing his eighth ATP world tour Masters 1,000 crown in Monte Carlo, Djokovic finally completed the full set in Cincinnati, capturing the Golden Masters with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Federer.
For Federer, a seven-time champion in Cincinnati, its the first unsuccessful final in the hardcourt US Open tuneup.
"Obviously it's a very special moment to stand here for the first time with the winning trophy here in Cincinnati," Djokovic said after the match. "The hard times I went through, it's been a rollercoaster ride in my career with injury, taking time off and having a surgery earlier this year. This seems a bit unreal to be back at this level."
Djokovic needed one hour and 24 minutes for the victory and extended his head-to-head record over Federer to 24-22.
Federer was full of praise for Djokovic after the final.
"Congratulations Novak on writing history today. It's an amazing effort not just today but your whole career to get to this point. It's an amazing achievement. You should be very proud. Well done."
