Tennis: Roger Federer Was Too Hot For Me; Novak Djokovic Confess

Novak Djokovic, has admitted that Roger Federer was too much for him to handle in the final of the just concluded Cincinnati final on Sunday.

The Swiss number one beat the current world number one, Novak Djokovic 7-6(1) 6-3 to jump to the second position on the ATP World Tour Ranking.

Djokovic's defeat ended his dream of becoming the first singles player to win all nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events.

“Of course [having a chance at the Career Golden Masters] was playing an important role in my approach to this tournament,” said Djokovic. “This year I got to the finals, a step closer. I'm going to keep going, keep fighting to make the history. It's a great incentive and it’s inspired me to come back and play my best tennis.”

“I think he's more aggressive here than in any other tournament because the surface and conditions allow him to play very fast,” said Djokovic. 

“He generally copes well with the fast balls and a fast game. He likes this rhythm. It was right tactics for him. I knew coming into the match he was going to be aggressive. No question about it. So I tried to handle. I've done well until the tie-break first set; after that, he was just the better player.

“Of course it's disappointing at this stage to reflect on the match,” added Djokovic. “I could have done some things better, but I lost to a better player, no question about it. I have to deal with it.”

With a week left before the start of 2015’s final Grand Slam, Djokovic is not entirely satisfied with the state of his game, but believes that good things are yet to come at Flushing Meadows, where he claimed the 2011 US Open title.

“The US Open is around the corner, and I have to already turn the next page,” said Djokovic. “Hopefully I can do well there. [In Cincinnati] I played a couple good matches and couple not‑so‑good matches. Still not very happy with my form and with my game, but I have a week to work on it. The conditions in New York suit me a little bit better, so I look forward to it.”

The loss on Sunday made it two final setbacks in two weeks for Djokovic, who lost to Andy Murray in the Rogers Cup final. The Serb is 56-5 on the year with an ATP World Tour-leading six titles, including four at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level (Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and (Rome)

Surface: Hardcourt (Decoturf II)

Draw size: Singles 56

Prize money: $3,7 million

Modus: Best of Three through final    Women's

Surface: Hardcourt (Decoturf II)

Draw size: Singles 54

Prize money: $2,4 million

Modus: Best of Three through final