Roger Federer, of Switzerland, prepares to serve to David Goffin, of Belgium, during the semifinals at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
MASON, Ohio — Novak Djokovic is once again so close to the one title that eludes him. And the same nemesis is standing in his way, all over again.
It’s a moment in time: Djokovic vs. Federer for a title.
Djokovic closed in on a Western & Southern Open title with his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Marin Cilic on Saturday. Then he watched Roger Federer advance to the finals as well when David Goffin retired in the second set with a shoulder injury.
READ: Djokovic downs Cilic, edges closer to historic Cincy title
The two tennis greats haven’t faced each other in two years because of injuries. They’re back for the 18th shared title match of their careers. Djokovic leads in head-to-head title matches 11-6. Djokovic leads the overall series 23-22.
Everyone knows who’s favored in this one.
“It would be the greatest challenge in Cincinnati, without a doubt, because he’s been dominating this tournament historically,” Djokovic said.
The second-ranked Federer has won it an unprecedented seven times, going 7-for-7 in finals. Three of those wins came over Djokovic, who is 0-5 in the finals. The only player with better finals results at one tournament is Rafael Nadal, who is 11-0 in both French Open and Barcelona finals.
“It’s great to be back in the finals, against Novak in particular,” Federer said. “There’s a lot riding on the match. It’s great to refresh a rivalry we’ve had for many years.”
On the women’s side, No. 1 Simona Halep will play for the title a second year in a row, facing Kiki Bertens.
Djokovic is a tantalizing one victory away from the only ATP Masters 1000 title he’s never claimed. Djokovic is trying to become the first to win all nine events since the series started in 1990.
“My sixth time, I’ll try to win the title,” he said. “Obviously, this time I’m hoping I get my hands on the trophy.”
One familiar hurdle: Federer.
The seven-time champion won the first set 7-6 (3) against Goffin, who was struggling with his serve. Goffin got medical treatment on the back of his right shoulder, and retired after the second game of the second set — 62 minutes into the match.
Now, it’s on to his first Cincinnati final in three years. Federer won it in 2015 but was sidelined the last two years because of injuries.
“I feel like I’m trying to defend my title from way back when,” he said.
Djokovic completed his long recovery from elbow surgery by winning Wimbledon for the fourth time last month. He then set out to get his hard-court game in form for the U.S. Open.
Frustrated by his ragged play early in his semifinal win over Milos Raonic a day earlier, Djokovic slammed his racket on the court, sending pieces of the frame into the air. The racket-busting became a turning point.
When he closed out the victory Saturday, he walked calmly to the net to congratulate Cilic and then raised both arms in triumph.
One more to go.
In the women’s bracket, Halep reached the final for a second straight year, beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-4. Like Djokovic, she’s never won the title, losing both of her chances, including the title match last year to Garbine Muguruza.
Halep will be trying for her second title in eight days. She won her third title of the season last Sunday in Montreal.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for me to play another final and win it,” she said.
She’ll face Kiki Bertens , who advanced to her first Western & Southern final by wearing down No. 8 Petra Kvitova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Bertens is an unexpected finalist, winning only one match during three previous appearances in Cincinnati. Her only title this season was at Charleston.
Known as more of a clay-court player, Bertens has reached a hard-court final for the first time, spending more time getting accustomed to the different style of play.
“I think also I’m less stressed,” she said. “So before the match, I’m less nervous than I used to be. Before I was like, ‘Oh, I play on center court and a lot of people are watching.’ But now I’m just more relaxed.”
A week of rain delays and double-duty days wore on players, many of whom wound up playing twice in a day. Kvitova faded in her second straight three-set match, ending her best showing in Cincinnati. She’d made five previous appearances in semifinals this season, winning each tournament.
“My legs were pretty heavy,” Kvitova said. “I just couldn’t really jump at all. It was very, very tiring, the second set, and I just think that I couldn’t really find energy in the third one. I was really trying, but nothing.”