Roger Federer warmed up for the US Open in style by clinching his 17th Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati.
The Swiss world number two got the better of home favourite Mardy Fish after coming out on top in a war of attrition.
In a match dominated by the serve, Federer secured the only break deep into the deciding set to clinch a 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 triumph in two hours and 40 minutes.
The outcome means Federer will be in perfect shape to regain the crown at Flushing Meadows after his run of five successive titles was ended by Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in last year's final. Fish can also take a great deal of confidence to New York after a wonderful week in which, after entering as a wild card, he saw off Andy Murray and Andy Roddick en route to the final.
The American certainly held his own against Federer although the few opportunities which did arise fell the way of the former world number one. Federer held four break points in the first set - including one set point - but was unable to execute. And he paid the price as Fish upped his game to clinch the tie-break.
The second set followed a similar pattern with both players struggling to gain any fluency on their returns. Fish had the only break point which came and went. This time it was Federer who found the reserves to up the tempo in the breaker, clinching it for the loss of just one point to take the match all the way.
A third tie-break seemed on the cards only for Fish to lose concentration for a moment, allowing Federer a break point at 4-4 which he converted when the American netted a routine backhand.Federer showed his opponent no mercy by serving it out with ease to claim his fourth title in Cincinnati. "It was a perfect match for both of us," Federer said afterwards, "but only one can win it.
"Mardy played fantastic."
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