A lot on the line in the 41st edition of the Federer-Djokovic rivalry
The Federer-Djokovic rivalry has grown so much since the first time they squared off in 2006 that every time the duo step on the court some or the other record is on the line. Here’s a list of records that could be broken or made when Federer and Djokovic meet in the finals of Cincinnati:
Head to Head
The Federer-Djokovic rivialry couldn’t be more even with both players having 20 wins a piece against their names and whoever wins on Sunday will edge out the rivalry apart from collecting the winner’s cheque.
Seventh heaven for Roger or Cloud nine for Novak?
This is perhaps the biggest questions fans have been pondering ahead of the title clash. The stats too don’t make it any easy to pick out a clear favorite, while Djokovic has a 9-5 head to head against the Swiss maestro in the finals of events, Federer hasn’t lost a final in Cincinnati in his previous six attempts.
The Sebinator may have never tasted success in Cincinnati falling four times at the final hurdle (3 of those losses coming against Roger), he has won 3 of the pair’s last four meetings.
A victory for Roger Federer will ensure that he maintains a clean sheet in the finals of the Western and Southern Open and will also help him regain the world number 2 ranking from Andy Murray, while a victory for Novak Djokovic will make him the first man in the open era to have won all 9 ATP Masters 1000 titles.
Both showing Contrasting forms ahead of the finals
In the words of Feliciano Lopez, Federer has simply been “flying all over the court” hitting outrageous winners on player’s second serve enroute to the finals, he faced some resistance from Andy Murray in the semifinals but was able to overcome him with relative ease.
Djokovic on the other hand has had to deal with abdomen and elbow issues which have affected his game as the Serbinator needed a medical time out in his semi final against Alexander Dolgopolov. The World number 1 though dug deep and won in three sets to reach his tenth consecutive final of the season (a first since Federer in 2006).
