Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will be fighting for records when the all-star pair clash in Sunday’s final at the Cincinnati Masters.
Federer, a seven-time champion here, will be bidding to increase his tournament leading total, while Djokovic is keen to win the only Masters 1000 tournament missing from his trophy collection.
Second seed Federer was leading 7-6(3), 1-1 when David Goffin retired with an injury from their semifinal match after 62 minutes on Saturday. The Belgian needed treatment for a shoulder problem after losing the opening set. Djokovic beat 2016 winner Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to earn his place. Djokovic leads a rivalry, which dates to 2006, by a thin 23-22 margin with the Serb winning three of their last four meetings. Federer won their only previous final here in 2015 in straight sets.
On the women’s side, World No. 1 Simona Halep is hoping it will be third time lucky in Cincinnati after booking her final berth with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Aryna Sabalenka.
She’ll try again against Dutch outsider Kiki Bertens, who will be playing her third final of the season after wearing down a tiring Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The results (semifinals):
Men: Novak Djokovic bt Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Roger Federer bt David Goffin 7-6(3), 1-1 (retd.).
Women: Simona Halep bt Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-4; Kiki Bertens bt Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.