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Roger Federer won his fourth Cincinnati title defeating American wild card Mardy Fish in an epic 6-7(5), 7-6(1), 6-4 final. It was the first three set final in Cincinnati since the 2004 final between Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt (Agassi won 6-3, 3-6, 6-2).

 

The three hour match featured only six break point opportunities with Federer converting the only one in the ninth game of the third set. He put the match away in the next game for the win.

 

Both Federer and Fish served well the entire match, converting on 77% and 72% respectively on first serve points.

 

It looked as though Federer would dominate the match early as he had two break point opportunities in the third game of the match. Fish, answered both times, though and went on to win the game and set. 

 

The title ties Federer with Mats Wilander for the most Cincinnati titles in the Open Era and is the first repeat champion since Andre Agassi in 1995 and 1996. He is the fourth repeat champion in Cincinnati in the Open Era.

 

Federer now holds 63 career singles titles and 17 career Masters 1000 titles.

 

For Fish, it was another Masters 1000 heartbreak. It was his third final appearance in  one of the ATP's top-tier tournaments and the third three set loss. He had previously lost to Novak Djokovic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the 2008 Indian Wells finals and 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4) to Andy Roddick in the 2003 Cincinnati final.

 

In defeat, Fish tied the all-time tournament ace record, firing off 87 during the week. His 17 today brought him even with Ivo Karlovic's 2008 mark. Andy Roddick, who lost to Fish in the semis, also made the list serving up 63 during the week tying him Mark Philippoussis for 10th all time.