• Cincinnati Masters

Federer battles past stubborn Fish in Cincinnati

Roger Federer's defended the Cincinnati Masters title © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Federer feeling 100 percent fit ahead of US Open
  
• What the Deuce: Mixed messages from Federer
  
• News: Federer wary of Murray threat
  
• News: Murray ready for US Open glory - Gilbert
  
• Profile: Roger Federer
• Gallery: Cincinnati Masters

Roger Federer threw down the gauntlet to his rivals ahead of the US Open by securing the Cincinnati Masters title with a defeat of Mardy Fish.

It hasn't been the best year for Federer - he has exited the last two Grand Slams at the quarter-final stage - but he has now reached back-to-back finals ahead of the Flushing Meadows tournament.

He lost the first of those to Andy Murray in Toronto last week, but he proved his determination to not be beaten again as he edged out Fish 6-7 7-6 6-4 to retain his title.

The world No. 2 was never at the peak of his powers - there was as much mediocrity as there was genius, with his return of serve a particular worry - but he did enough to get the better of one of the game's most in-form players.

Federer had marginally the better of a keenly contested first set but, despite creating several opportunities to break, he was unable to capitalise. The Swiss player's trademark ruthlessness was conspicuously absent, allowing Fish to force - and win - a tiebreak.

For a man so familiar with playing at the sharp end of tournaments, Federer cut a surprisingly uncomfortable figure on court - there was none of the swashbuckling aggression that he displayed during his resounding semi-final win over Marcos Baghdatis.

The authoritative moves towards the net were now absent as Federer, who was willing to let his opponent onto the offensive, positioned himself at the back of the court and allowed Fish to grow into the match.

The American, who has won two tournaments since June, accepted the invitation as he dramatically improved his first serve accuracy during the second stanza. Fish was helped by Federer's indifferent returns - far too often he was peppering the net - as he took some of the sting out of his deliveries in a bid to land them in the box at the opening attempt.

Federer's difficulties when it came to getting the ball back into play made it no surprise when the second set also slipped into a tiebreak. With defeat looming ominously behind him, Federer played his best tennis of the match as he forced a deciding set for the loss of just one point in the end-of-set shootout.

He was unable to carry the momentum forward into the third set, however, despite Fish's early struggles on his serve - he landed two of his first ten deliveries, but Federer was unable to force a break. He eventually did land a decisive blow when he won a game against the Fish serve - the only break of the match - in the ninth game of the final set, enough to secure the win.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.