Swiss maestro Roger Federer subdued Novak Djokovic in three gruelling sets with a 6-1 3-6 7-5 scoreline to reach the final of the Rogers Cup 2010. Federer is eying his 17th ATP Masters title. 

Federer repeatedly broke Djokovic’s serve in the first set and wrapped it up easily with a 6-1 score. Federer began the second-set in his typical style and broke Djokovic’s serve in the very first game of the second set. The Serbian broke back in the eighth game of the second set and clinched it with a 6-3 to share one set a piece.

Re-live the excitement of this contest!

 Third set brought forth the best out of the two contenders as Federer got the first break in the fourth game of the third set and Djokovic broke back in the seventh game to heat up the contest amidst a roaring crowd. Both the players held on to their serves till the 12th game, when Federer got the coveted break and won the match. 

When asked about the match, Federer quoted, “I was up very quickly, too quickly almost. Against a guy like Novak I knew all it would take would be one service break and his whole attitude and demeanour will change. He started to serve better, return better and not miss so much and everything just tightened up. He’s known for being a bit streaky and we saw that tonight. I could have won the match earlier but I’m very happy to have come through anyhow.” The former world no. 1 further added, “I’ve had some tough losses this year and it’s nice to get some of those back. I was losing the tight matches that I’m supposed to win."

Djokovic lamented, "I didn't find my rhythm. After only half an hour it was already set and break up. But I managed to come back, and I started feeling the ball better. But overall it wasn't the best performance by my side. I wasn't serving well when I needed to, and I made a lot of unforced errors on my backhand side.”

He further added, "So to be able to be in the position to win this match with the performance that I don't think it's good enough, it's okay, it's fine. It's a little bit frustrating that I haven't used the opportunity I had in the end, but he was realistically a better player today."

In the first semi-final of the day, world no. 4 Andy Murray defeated the world no. 1 Rafael Nadal in straight sets with a 6-3 6-4 scoreline and earned his berth in the final of the Rogers Cup.