Serena and Federer Crowned Champs in Cincinnati

August 24, 2015 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Serena_Williams (2)

Roger Federer and Serena Williams each added to their Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series success on Sunday, repeating as champions at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Federer defeated Novak Djokovic, 7-6(1), 6-3, to win his seventh title in Cincinnati, while Williams won her second with her 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Simona Halep.

With Federer’s victory—his ninth at an Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series tournament, the most of any man—Andy Murray clinched the Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series men’s title. Murray, who was the Series champion in 2010, will now attempt to set a record for the largest payout in tennis history at the U.S. Open—$4.3 million ($3.3 million for winning the U.S. Open and a $1 million bonus for winning the U.S. Open as Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series champion).

"Now I've got the confidence, I've got the matches, and I'm actually still feeling really fresh even after this week, because the matches have been rather short," Federer said. "I think I moved well. I was explosive moving forward. Volleys were good. I think from the baseline I was hitting my forehand very well."

Serena's title—her seventh at a Series event, the most of any woman—moved her into first place in the Series’ women’s standings. The women’s Bonus Challenge race will be decided this week at the Connecticut Open in New Haven. Four players—Halep, Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova and Agnieszka Radwanska—could all overtake the two-time defending Series women’s champion in New Haven, where each of them could benefit from the provision that allows players who earn points in three or more Series events to double their Bonus Challenge point total.

"Thank you Simona for playing such a good match today, and always being such an incredible opponent and incredible sportswoman," Serena said. "I'm always honored to play against you and always have such a wonderful match whenever we play. I've also got to say, I don't get support everywhere I play, but I get so much support here in Cincinnati that it makes me want to come back forever and ever, so thank you to all the fans today!"

The full standings leaders heading into the final week of the Series are as follows:

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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