Roger Federer beat Novak Djokovic 6-1, 7-5 in the Cincinnati final, 2009 on hard court
It was Federer's 3rd title at the venue and to date, he has a personal Masters 1000 best of 7 titles there. Djokovic had won the pairs previous two matches in the year
Federer won 119 points, Djokovic 103
Serve Stats
Federer...
- 1st serve percentage (34/60) 57%
- 1st serve points won (29/34) 85%
- 2nd serve points won (14/26) 54%
- Aces 7
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (25/60) 42%
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (54/81) 67%
- 1st serve points won (33/54) 61%
- 2nd serve points won (9/27) 33%
- Aces 3, Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (18/81) 22%
Serve Patterns
Federer served...
- to FH 45%
- to BH 48%
- to Body 7%
Djokovic served...
- to FH 48%
- to BH 49%
- to Body 4%
Return Stats
Federer made...
- 62 (30 FH, 32 BH), including 1 runaround FH & 2 return-approaches
- 3 Winners (3 FH), including 1 runaround FH
- 13 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (4 FH), including 2 runaround FH attempts
- 9 Forced (6 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (62/80) 78%
Djokovic made...
- 35 (18 FH, 17 BH), including 1 runaround FH
- 2 Winners (2 FH)
- 18 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 14 Forced (7 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (35/60) 58%
Break Points
Federer 4/15 (5 games)
Djokovic 1/4 (2 games)
Winners (excluding serves, including returns)
Federer 20 (12 FH, 2 BH, 3 FHV, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic 13 (7 FH, 1 BH, 2 FHV, 3 BHV)
Federer's FHs - 4 cc (2 returns), 2 dtl (1 return, 1 pass), 3 inside-out, 1 inside-out/dtl, 1 inside-in and 1 longline
- BHs - 1 inside-out and 1 dtl/inside-out pass
Djokovic's FHs - 2 cc (1 pass off an OH), 3 dtl (1 return, 1 pass), 1 inside-in and 1 net chord dribbler return
- BH - 1 dtl pass
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Federer 28
- 18 Unforced (10 FH, 7 BH, 1 OH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 5 BH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 41.7
Djokovic 36
- 23 Unforced (8 FH, 14 BH, 1 FHV)
- 13 Forced (7 FH, 5 BH, 1 FH1/2V)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.3
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Federer was...
- 8/13 (62%) at net, including...
- 2/2 return-approaching
Djokovic was...
- 10/15 (67%) at net
(Note: Neither player serve-volleyed)
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Match Report
An impressive showing from Federer though Djokovic's game is disappointing in this one
First set is all Federer. He loses 3 points in 4 service games and makes just 2 unforced errors in play (Djokovic has 14). Djokovic serves more points in his first service game (22) than Federer does in the set!
The Swiss' movements - especially footwork - is excellent. Play is mostly closed court, which demands footwork rather than court coverage, and Fed steps into position for his shots smooth as can be. Djokovic isn't even ball bashing - he's basically just pushing - but also moves well. But... makes too many routine errors.
Second set is different ball game. First, Djoko ups his game and does start hitting with more intent, though still mostly closed court stuff. Two, Federer's level drops and he joins the Serb in making a fair number of routine errors.
Djoko gains the first break in an error strewn game (4 from Federer - double his total from the first set) but does throw in a couple of winners, including an unlikely FH cc pass off a Federer smash that even the Swiss applauds. He takes the net to force a passing error to seal the game
Down a break and 0-3, Fed responds by holding in about a minute (4 unreturned serves - 2 aces included, and all first serves) and then breaking back. His ability to hit sharp, error forcing angles are in evidence here (something Djokovic seems to lack) and he also casually puts away a FH dtl pass on the half-volley. To see him do it, you wouldn't think there was anything special about the shot... but its a very difficult one that most players would miss and those who didn't, would make it look like it was hard work.
Rest of the match is lively baseline stuff, with the returner being able to conjure some chances. Djokovic saves 3 break points in a 12 point game - taking the net on all three points. This is something Djoko does all match - look to come in on important points, and he pulls it off nicely here.
Federer misses one of the easiest OHs possible - so easy, it makes him smile. Not an important point and he goes onto hold with two aces and a good FH inside-in winner. Later in the final game, Djokovic more characteristically fails to put away a standard OH and consequently forced into a 1/2 volley error
Djokovic has a break point against the Federer serve, which is erased with a big serve. Djoko gives up the decisive break with 3 successive errors in a 12 point game... the critical 1 being a drop shot attempt that goes into the net. And Federer serves out to love to take the match
Play
Federer Play
I'm struck by Federer's silky combination of shot making and consistency. For several years, he's been an out and out aggressive player who is prone to error, but that wasn't the case back in the day.
He's as consistent with his shots as most passive players could wish for and doesn't yield many UEs. But has extraordinary shot making capabilities to go with it - that virtually no one can match. Add in his silky movement and you have a picture of Federer the supremo baseliner
Federer serves well in the match, especially the second. He forces a few genuine errors with it and its obviously not easy to attack. 54% second serve points won is lower than what I would have expected seeing the action, especially since he has no double faults.
On return, he almost always slices the BH. Its a good slice return, and Djokovic isn't able to do much against it.... but there's room for improvement there
He doesn't approach net as often as he could. When he's thrown Djokovic out of position and an approach seems the most efficient way to put the point to bed, he usually stays back (but wins the bulk of the points anyway, without risking a freak passing shot getting by)
Djokovic Play
The service action is noticeable different, a bit less smooth than it became. The second serve is downright weak - a buffet ball, help yourself - like Andy Murray's. Note the low 33% second serve points won... and that's with Federer being relatively passive with the return
He questionably distributes serves about evenly (38 to the FH, 39 to the BH). Its fairly obvious that Federer's FH return is much more potent than his slice BH one and obviously the FH side has greater reach. So why this pattern?
The return is solid, but not particularly damaging - one of the hallmarks of his game. Some credit to Federer serving very well for this, but I thought Djoko doesn't return particularly powerfully or with the sort of depth we've come to see from him
Stats indicated it was justified. Djokovic forces 6 FH return errors (just 3 on the BH) and Federer makes 2 FH UEs (the other 2 are also FHs, but runaround shots, serve was directed to the BH). You can say Federer's FH return is more dangerous but also more error prone than the BH in this match.... and Djoko's choice is reasonable
Movements are good, but baseline play is a good way down from what it would come to be. Plays mostly closed court stuff and is error prone, especially his storied BH (14 errors, to 8 on the FH. Federer has 7 on the BH). And for all that, not threatening with the BH. He's a bit awkward in dealing with Federer's very good slices. And he doesn't have the attacking shot making gear of his opponent. In later years, his groundies would become more consistently powerful and deep.... here, its nothing of the ordinary
Also in evidence is this fascination for drop shots. I've never understood why a player who can hit groundies like Djokovic gets hung up on drop shots to the extent he does. Here, he's in the negative on the shot... makes a few errors, doesn't hit any winners and bringing Federer to net usually doesn't end well for the Serb
I like the way he comes to net on important points. Usually, he wins up there (67%), but mostly due to the approach. The volleys are nothing special - punched not too deep and usually not too far from Federer
Statistical Points of Interest
Note the very low UEFI scores - 41.7 for Federer (extremely low) and 44.3 for Djokovic (low)
11/18 of Fed's UEs are to neutral shots and for Djokovic, the figure is 13/23. The court is fast enough that these routine errors are more difficult than they would be on most courts, but they are still routine errors. Fed's 42% unreturned serves is also a stat suggesting a fast court.... but watching the action, it doesn't look overly fast.
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Summing up, mostly smooth baseline stuff from Federer - steady enough from the baseline, but with an extra attacking gear he can and does call on when he feels like it and excellent serving. Pretty lacklustre from Djokovic - neither the serve or return firing, and too error prone for a closed court game
You can find similar matches with similar action at US Open 2007 (https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ederer-vs-djokovic-us-open-final-2007.633118/) and Cincinnati 2012 (https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...rer-vs-djokovic-cincinnati-final-2012.608895/)
It was Federer's 3rd title at the venue and to date, he has a personal Masters 1000 best of 7 titles there. Djokovic had won the pairs previous two matches in the year
Federer won 119 points, Djokovic 103
Serve Stats
Federer...
- 1st serve percentage (34/60) 57%
- 1st serve points won (29/34) 85%
- 2nd serve points won (14/26) 54%
- Aces 7
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (25/60) 42%
Djokovic...
- 1st serve percentage (54/81) 67%
- 1st serve points won (33/54) 61%
- 2nd serve points won (9/27) 33%
- Aces 3, Service Winners 2
- Double Faults 1
- Unreturned Serve Percentage (18/81) 22%
Serve Patterns
Federer served...
- to FH 45%
- to BH 48%
- to Body 7%
Djokovic served...
- to FH 48%
- to BH 49%
- to Body 4%
Return Stats
Federer made...
- 62 (30 FH, 32 BH), including 1 runaround FH & 2 return-approaches
- 3 Winners (3 FH), including 1 runaround FH
- 13 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (4 FH), including 2 runaround FH attempts
- 9 Forced (6 FH, 3 BH)
- Return Rate (62/80) 78%
Djokovic made...
- 35 (18 FH, 17 BH), including 1 runaround FH
- 2 Winners (2 FH)
- 18 Errors, comprising...
- 4 Unforced (1 FH, 3 BH)
- 14 Forced (7 FH, 7 BH)
- Return Rate (35/60) 58%
Break Points
Federer 4/15 (5 games)
Djokovic 1/4 (2 games)
Winners (excluding serves, including returns)
Federer 20 (12 FH, 2 BH, 3 FHV, 2 BHV, 1 OH)
Djokovic 13 (7 FH, 1 BH, 2 FHV, 3 BHV)
Federer's FHs - 4 cc (2 returns), 2 dtl (1 return, 1 pass), 3 inside-out, 1 inside-out/dtl, 1 inside-in and 1 longline
- BHs - 1 inside-out and 1 dtl/inside-out pass
Djokovic's FHs - 2 cc (1 pass off an OH), 3 dtl (1 return, 1 pass), 1 inside-in and 1 net chord dribbler return
- BH - 1 dtl pass
Errors (excluding serves and returns)
Federer 28
- 18 Unforced (10 FH, 7 BH, 1 OH)
- 10 Forced (5 FH, 5 BH)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 41.7
Djokovic 36
- 23 Unforced (8 FH, 14 BH, 1 FHV)
- 13 Forced (7 FH, 5 BH, 1 FH1/2V)
- Unforced Error Forcefulness Index 44.3
(Note 1: all half-volleys refer to such shots played at net. Half -volleys played from other parts of the court are included within relevant groundstroke counts)
(Note 2: the Unforced Error Forcefulness Index is an indicator of how aggressive the average UE was. The numbers presented for these two matches are keyed on 4 categories - 20 defensive, 40 neutral, 50 attacking and 60 winner attempt)
Net Points & Serve-Volley
Federer was...
- 8/13 (62%) at net, including...
- 2/2 return-approaching
Djokovic was...
- 10/15 (67%) at net
(Note: Neither player serve-volleyed)
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Match Report
An impressive showing from Federer though Djokovic's game is disappointing in this one
First set is all Federer. He loses 3 points in 4 service games and makes just 2 unforced errors in play (Djokovic has 14). Djokovic serves more points in his first service game (22) than Federer does in the set!
The Swiss' movements - especially footwork - is excellent. Play is mostly closed court, which demands footwork rather than court coverage, and Fed steps into position for his shots smooth as can be. Djokovic isn't even ball bashing - he's basically just pushing - but also moves well. But... makes too many routine errors.
Second set is different ball game. First, Djoko ups his game and does start hitting with more intent, though still mostly closed court stuff. Two, Federer's level drops and he joins the Serb in making a fair number of routine errors.
Djoko gains the first break in an error strewn game (4 from Federer - double his total from the first set) but does throw in a couple of winners, including an unlikely FH cc pass off a Federer smash that even the Swiss applauds. He takes the net to force a passing error to seal the game
Down a break and 0-3, Fed responds by holding in about a minute (4 unreturned serves - 2 aces included, and all first serves) and then breaking back. His ability to hit sharp, error forcing angles are in evidence here (something Djokovic seems to lack) and he also casually puts away a FH dtl pass on the half-volley. To see him do it, you wouldn't think there was anything special about the shot... but its a very difficult one that most players would miss and those who didn't, would make it look like it was hard work.
Rest of the match is lively baseline stuff, with the returner being able to conjure some chances. Djokovic saves 3 break points in a 12 point game - taking the net on all three points. This is something Djoko does all match - look to come in on important points, and he pulls it off nicely here.
Federer misses one of the easiest OHs possible - so easy, it makes him smile. Not an important point and he goes onto hold with two aces and a good FH inside-in winner. Later in the final game, Djokovic more characteristically fails to put away a standard OH and consequently forced into a 1/2 volley error
Djokovic has a break point against the Federer serve, which is erased with a big serve. Djoko gives up the decisive break with 3 successive errors in a 12 point game... the critical 1 being a drop shot attempt that goes into the net. And Federer serves out to love to take the match
Play
Federer Play
I'm struck by Federer's silky combination of shot making and consistency. For several years, he's been an out and out aggressive player who is prone to error, but that wasn't the case back in the day.
He's as consistent with his shots as most passive players could wish for and doesn't yield many UEs. But has extraordinary shot making capabilities to go with it - that virtually no one can match. Add in his silky movement and you have a picture of Federer the supremo baseliner
Federer serves well in the match, especially the second. He forces a few genuine errors with it and its obviously not easy to attack. 54% second serve points won is lower than what I would have expected seeing the action, especially since he has no double faults.
On return, he almost always slices the BH. Its a good slice return, and Djokovic isn't able to do much against it.... but there's room for improvement there
He doesn't approach net as often as he could. When he's thrown Djokovic out of position and an approach seems the most efficient way to put the point to bed, he usually stays back (but wins the bulk of the points anyway, without risking a freak passing shot getting by)
Djokovic Play
The service action is noticeable different, a bit less smooth than it became. The second serve is downright weak - a buffet ball, help yourself - like Andy Murray's. Note the low 33% second serve points won... and that's with Federer being relatively passive with the return
He questionably distributes serves about evenly (38 to the FH, 39 to the BH). Its fairly obvious that Federer's FH return is much more potent than his slice BH one and obviously the FH side has greater reach. So why this pattern?
The return is solid, but not particularly damaging - one of the hallmarks of his game. Some credit to Federer serving very well for this, but I thought Djoko doesn't return particularly powerfully or with the sort of depth we've come to see from him
Stats indicated it was justified. Djokovic forces 6 FH return errors (just 3 on the BH) and Federer makes 2 FH UEs (the other 2 are also FHs, but runaround shots, serve was directed to the BH). You can say Federer's FH return is more dangerous but also more error prone than the BH in this match.... and Djoko's choice is reasonable
Movements are good, but baseline play is a good way down from what it would come to be. Plays mostly closed court stuff and is error prone, especially his storied BH (14 errors, to 8 on the FH. Federer has 7 on the BH). And for all that, not threatening with the BH. He's a bit awkward in dealing with Federer's very good slices. And he doesn't have the attacking shot making gear of his opponent. In later years, his groundies would become more consistently powerful and deep.... here, its nothing of the ordinary
Also in evidence is this fascination for drop shots. I've never understood why a player who can hit groundies like Djokovic gets hung up on drop shots to the extent he does. Here, he's in the negative on the shot... makes a few errors, doesn't hit any winners and bringing Federer to net usually doesn't end well for the Serb
I like the way he comes to net on important points. Usually, he wins up there (67%), but mostly due to the approach. The volleys are nothing special - punched not too deep and usually not too far from Federer
Statistical Points of Interest
Note the very low UEFI scores - 41.7 for Federer (extremely low) and 44.3 for Djokovic (low)
11/18 of Fed's UEs are to neutral shots and for Djokovic, the figure is 13/23. The court is fast enough that these routine errors are more difficult than they would be on most courts, but they are still routine errors. Fed's 42% unreturned serves is also a stat suggesting a fast court.... but watching the action, it doesn't look overly fast.
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Summing up, mostly smooth baseline stuff from Federer - steady enough from the baseline, but with an extra attacking gear he can and does call on when he feels like it and excellent serving. Pretty lacklustre from Djokovic - neither the serve or return firing, and too error prone for a closed court game
You can find similar matches with similar action at US Open 2007 (https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ederer-vs-djokovic-us-open-final-2007.633118/) and Cincinnati 2012 (https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...rer-vs-djokovic-cincinnati-final-2012.608895/)
