Federer takes fifth Cincinnati title

Associated Press

MASON

Make it five for Federer. Emphatically.

Top-ranked Roger Federer won a record fifth Cincinnati title Sunday, dominating second-ranked Novak Djokovic at the outset of a 6-0, 7-6 (7) win for the Western & Southern Open championship.

It was the first time in the tournament’s history that the top two played for the title. From the start, it was no match.

Federer improved to 5-0 in Cincinnati finals and tied Rafael Nadal for the most Masters titles with 21. Nadal dropped out of the tournament with a sore knee that has sidelined him indefinitely.

“A record break — always something special when that happens,” Federer said.

Li Na PREVAILS

China’s Li Na overcame an awful first set to get her first title of the season.

Li finally got her shots to stay in the court during the second set and got the better of several long rallies, beating Germany’s Angelique Kerber 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 on Sunday for the championship of the Western & Southern Open.

Then, she hoisted that elusive trophy.

The final matched players who knocked the Williams sisters out of an already depleted tournament. Defending champion Maria Sharapova dropped out before the start because of a stomach illness.