Roger Federer v Mardy Fish Cincinnati Masters Final preview

Roger Federer got through an easy draw with the help of two opponents retiring to book his place in this year’s Cincinnati Masters final. Mardy Fish has caused two surprises to reach his first final here and will get support from a home crowd as he looks to cap off a great week by lifting the title.

Roger Federer is the defending champion and look to win his fourth Cincinnati Masters title, having won it for the first time here in 2005 against another American, Andy Roddick. With Denis Istomin retiring after 7 games and Philipp Kohlschreiber pulling out before they got on court, Federer has been well-rested since last Sunday’s final defeat to Andy Murray in Toronto. In the two full matches he has completed here, Federer put in a solid performance against Nikolay Davydenko in the quarter final before Marcos Baghdatis couldn’t get hold of the world number 2′s serve in defeat. Roger Federer is serving well, playing well and wanting to win the final trophy before going to the US Open as the new favourite.

Route to final:
2 Denis Istomin 5-2, retired
3 Philipp Kohlschreiber retired
QF Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 7-5
SF Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 6-3

Mardy Fish has had a great hard court season, winning 16 of his last 17 matches on this surface, including two titles; in Newport and Atlanta. This is his biggest final of the three though, and Fish must be buzzing after victories over Andy Murray and Andy Roddick en route. Both came in three sets. The first, over an ill Murray and then last’s night’s victory, coming from a set and 5-2 down with the help of a rain break that had contrasting effects on both players. Mardy Fish is serving well but as ever, it only takes one poor game or one moment of magic from Federer to break Fish. When he’s playing well, he’s proven hard to beat this week. But he’s still prone to unforced errors and there is a clear fatigue issue here, with Fish being on the court for over 7 hours more than his opponent in this final.

Route to final:
1 Gilles Simon 7-6, 7-5
2 Fernando Verdasco 7-6, 7-6
3 Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-2
QF Andy Murray 6-7, 6-1, 7-6
SF Andy Roddick 4-6, 7-6, 6-1

Roger Federer lost last week’s final, but I cannot see the same thing happening this evening. A 5-1 head-to-head record and more importantly, he’s playing well this week. A focus, determined Federer will see this one through in straight sets.

Pick: Roger Federer