A month after their Wimbledon final, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic fought for the Cincinnati crown on August 19, 2012. The Swiss claimed a 6-0, 7-6 triumph in an hour and 20 minutes, lifting his fifth Cincinnati title. Roger beat Novak for the 16th time in 28 encounters, delivering the only bagel in their rivalry and prevailing in the second set to emerge at the top. Novak bounced back in the second set, missing a set point at 7-6 in the tie break and settling with the runner-up spot for the fourth time in the previous five years in Ohio! Federer needed a tie break against Mardy Fish and Stan Wawrinka in the earlier rounds. However, the scoreboard was always on his side on the fast hard court, facing three break points in five matches and never losing serve. Novak won only 14 points on the return. He created no break chances while dropping 40% of the points behind the initial shot, suffering three breaks from four opportunities given to Roger.
The Swiss had the edge in the shortest and most extended rallies, where Novak should have had the advantage. Federer outplayed his rival in the opening set and stayed on a high level in the second to claim the title. Djokovic could not find his usual range, hitting 12 winners and 23 unforced errors. In comparison, Federer blasted 28 winners and 18 errors, dominating with his initial shot and forehand and keeping the backhand safe enough to stay on the court for just 80 minutes. Novak sprayed a forehand error to get broken in the match’s first game, which is never a good sign in significant clashes. Roger confirmed the advantage with a forehand down the line winner in the next one and settled into a fine rhythm. Djokovic hit a double fault to lose serve again, finding himself 4-0 down after only 11 minutes following Federer’s four service winners! Things went from bad to worse for the Serb, as he hit another double fault to offer a break chance in game five. Roger forced the rival’s forehand error to move 5-0 ahead and serve for a bagel.
Roger Federer defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets in Cincinnati 2012.
The Swiss landed a powerful forehand down the line a few minutes later to clinch the opening set in just 20 minutes, hoping for more in set number two. Novak had to change things on the court to avoid a complete disaster. He raised the level behind the second serve and became a contender despite earning no chances on the return. The Serb got his name on the scoreboard in the first game when the Swiss sent a forehand wide. Novak went 2-1 in front after forcing Roger’s error, hitting in a much better rhythm than in the previous set. Still, the Swiss was rock-solid behind the initial shot, firing an ace to level the score at 2-2. A fantastic half-volley winner delivered another hold for Roger in the sixth game. Novak had the answer ready, moving 4-3 in front with a service winner and increasing his chances. At that point, Federer hit 39% of the shots inside the baseline.
In comparison, Djokovic took only 19%, unable to impose his game and take power off the rival’s racquet. A service winner secured another comfortable hold for Roger in the eighth game. They both served well for 5-5, getting closer to a tie break. A backhand down the line winner gave Novak another advantage in the 11th game, and Roger followed that pace with an unreturned serve to set up a tie break. The Swiss took the opening point on the return with a smash winner, playing an almost error-free game at the net. Novak made two forehand mistakes to find himself 3-0 down, with no room for more in the rest of the breaker.
The Serb won the following two points on serve and pulled the mini-break back with a deep return in the sixth point after forcing Roger’s error. Suddenly, Novak had the upper hand on the court, moving 4-3 ahead with a forehand winner but spoiling everything in the next one when his forehand landed long. Two service winners propelled Roger 6-5 in front before Novak saved a match point with another good forehand. The Serb earned a set point after one of the longest points of the encounter. Focused and composed, Roger saved it with a smash winner and hit another from his forehand for the second match point. He sealed the deal with another direct point for 9-7 and his fifth Ohio crown.
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