Djokovic and Federer set for Cincinnati showdown as warm-up for US Open

The world's top two men's players will face each other in the Western and Southern Open final - just days before the start of the US Open in New York.

Novak Djokovic celebrates scoring a point against Juan Martin Del Potro at the Western & Southern Open semi-final
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CINCINNATI, USA// The world's top two will meet in the final of the Western & Southern Open after straight sets successes in their semi-finals.

Roger Federer maintained his record of not losing a set in the Cincinnati tournament as he won his all-Swiss match against Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, while Novak Djokovic earned quick revenge for his Olympic defeat to Juan Martin del Potro with a 6-3 6-2 success.

Top-ranked Federer, seeking to win this tournament for the fifth time, won the first set on the tiebreak after squandering five set points before completing the job in a more straightforward second set.

"I have to look at the long term, and I would like to stay around for as long as I can," Federer told www.atptour.com after the success.

"For that reason I have to peace myself at times, but I'm happy I'm playing so well again right off the bat again here in the States."

Looking ahead to the US Open, which starts next week, Federer added: "I hope I can keep it up tomorrow and then also in New York."

Djokovic broke Del Potro to go up 4-2 ahead in the first set and served it out. He broke again for a 2-1 advantage in the second set - and the Argentinian's resistance was broken.

The Serbian, who came into this tournament on the back of success in the Rogers Cup at Toronto, said afterwards: "I try to step into the court and take my chances. It's what I have been trying to do in last couple of years.

"Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but it's been working quite often for me actually in last two weeks."

sports@thenational.ae

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