Federer downs Djokovic in Cincinnati

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A stunning straight sets victory saw Roger Federer retain his Western and Southern Open title at the expense of Novak Djokovic.

The duo, who boast 26 grand slam triumphs between them, met for the 41st time and it was the Swiss who edged in front in the head-to-head record, claiming his 21st win over his great rival.

Federer's 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 win came off the back of some characteristically stylish strokes, with his trademark one-handed backhand in full flow in the heat of Cincinnati.

He looked to go on the offensive from the outset and had break points in Djokovic's second and third service games, but the Serb held firm and ultimately took it to a tie-break.

It was there that Federer really hit top gear, outsmarting the world number one and finding the lines with remarkable regularity.

Djokovic only won one point as Federer marched into a one-set lead and the writing was on the wall at the start of the second.

Federer broke serve at the first opportunity as Djokovic, who needed three sets to defeat Alexandr Dolgopolov in the semi-final, failed to find his rhythm.

Indeed, he struggled to get close to Federer's serve, with the world number three holding to love for a 3-0 lead as the winning post came into view.

Further break-point openings were carved out in game six, but Djokovic held after winning a handful of lengthy rallies. 

Despite surviving that scare, there was to be no reprieve for Djokovic as the remainder of the set went on serve and Federer wrapped up his seventh Western and Southern Open title.

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