Roger Federer on song for US Open after claiming 80th ATP title
Roger Federer’s hopes of adding to his record grand slam haul got a boost as he beat Spain’s David Ferrer to win the Cincinnati Masters in the last key US Open tune-up event.
Roger Federer won his 80th career title and sixth at the Cincinnati Masters, beating David Ferrer 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 to stamp himself a US Open favourite.
The Swiss now goes into the final grand slam of the season in eight days as a legitimate threat after reaching the final last week in Toronto and claiming his 16th win without a loss against Spain’s Ferrer over an 11-year span.
I finally got a big trophy for the kids. I’ve been bringing home some smaller ones. I keep telling them they are still trophies, but this one should satisfy them
The world number three is unbeaten in six finals in Cincinnati, also winning the tournament in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Federer added a third title of 2014 to those he won in Dubai and Halle. He ran his career title total to 80 from 121 finals.
He increased his match-win lead this season on the ATP to 49 victories, with Rafael Nadal – his US Open bid in doubt because of injury – trailing second on 44.
Federer, 33, won his 22nd Masters 1000 trophy, second to Nadal’s 27 in the elite category.
