Wimbledon champion books spot in Sunday's final and will face Roger Federer from 9pm on Sky Sports Action
Sunday 19 August 2018 13:57, UK
Novak Djokovic has achieved plenty in his career and his return to the top of the tennis tree could yet yield another historic landmark after he beat Marin Cilic in three hard-fought sets to reach the Cincinnati Masters final.
For all the achievements of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic himself, none of them have managed to win all nine of the 1000 Series titles despite claiming 90 Masters crowns between them.
Both Federer and Nadal are two short of the set, Djokovic just one and it is Cincinnati that eludes him.
The Serb, a 13-time Grand Slam winner, claimed a memorable Wimbledon title in July - a victory that marked the culmination of a two-year rise and fall from the very top of the game.
In June 2016 Djokovic beat Andy Murray to win a first French Open title and with it become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.
What followed was a remarkable descent that involved shock defeats, new coaches, operations and time away from the court but on Sunday he will get the chance to underline his return to the top.
Djokovic will face Federer, who overcame David Goffin in Sunday's final, live on Sky Sports Arena from 9pm, after a 6-4, 3-6 6-3 victory over world No 7 Cilic that showcased all the form and qualities of his dominance between 2011 and that landmark moment in Paris.
Djokovic was pushed all the way by Cilic, and the overall numbers showed that he won just two more points than his opponent, the 2016 champion in Cincinnati, but it was his ability on the points that mattered that saw him through to a sixth final in the tournament.
His record in Ohio is mixed, having won all five previous semi-finals, he has gone on to lose all five finals that he has reached, three of those against Federer whom he could line up against on Sunday evening.
Djokovic has won each of the other eight Masters titles on at least two occasions and with 30 Masters titles to his name he is second only to Rafael Nadal on the all-time list. But his slide down the rankings means he is without a Masters title since Toronto in 2016, but he looks in the mood to end that run.
Tenacity has been the hallmark of Djokovic's run this week, and his win over Cilic was the fourth time he has been forced to go to all three sets.
Cilic came into the contest having won their last two meetings, including victory in the Queen's final earlier this year, and also with the knowledge that he had a touch more pedigree at the venue.
The Croatian won his only Masters title in Cincinnati and having missed the event last year his run this week meant he was riding a nine-game winning streak.
However, it was Djokovic who found the early breakthrough, breaking in the third game of the match for an early lead which he managed to keep hold of despite a determined effort from Cilic who threatened to break back on numerous occasions.
Despite Djokovic claiming the set, Cilic was not to be denied, a brilliant display in the second set saw him race into a 5-1 lead and while he was to wrap up the set and force a decider, Djokovic found enough to force a break back and a couple of trademark winners that fed his confidence ahead of the final set.
Cilic was the aggressor throughout the second set, his 19 winners underlining his dominance but Djokovic's dogged determination kept his interested throughout.
The final set came down to just a couple of crucial points. Both men finding their best tennis to trade breaks as well as service holds but as is so offer the case the great champions find their moment to strike.
And Djokovic seized his, leading 4-3 he broke the Cilic serve for a second time in the set dragging his opponent into the sort of baseline rallies that eventually force the errors and when Cilic's forehand faltered Djokovic was on the brink of victory.
The Serb closed out the contest with a dominant hold that ended with a brilliant winner that left his opponent deflated and himself on the brink of another historic moment in a career that is back on an upward curve.
Join us for the Cincinnati Masters final live on Sky Sports Arena from 9pm on Sunday
Never miss the big kick-off or have to deal with interrupted games or low-quality streams with a NOW TV Sky Sports Pass this summer. You'll get exclusive coverage of The Ryder Cup, ATP Tour and loads more starting from just £7.99. No contract.
We have the US hard courts covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation.
