By Chris Oddo | Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Roger Federer became the first ATP player to notch 300 Masters 1000 wins by taking out Canada's Vasek Pospisil in three sets in Cincinnati.
Photo Source: Andy Lyons/ Getty
The Swiss maestro proved to be the maestro of Masters 1000 events on Wednesday, as Roger Federer became the first player in history to reach 300 wins at the Masters level in ATP history with a 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-2 victory over Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in second-round action at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati.
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“The Masters 1000s are the backbone of the tour,” Federer told Justin Gimelstob in an interview after the match. “I know a lot of people talk about the Grand Slams. We care dearly about them, but the majority of the tournaments are Masters 1000s, 500s or 250s.”
Federer would edge Pospisil in the first set tiebreaker, thanks to this subtle but excellent foray to the net on the penultimate point:
But the second-seed had to go the scenic route to the milestone, as the rising Canadian forced a third set by breaking Federer in the final game of the second set.
Struggling on return all afternoon, Federer would finally rally in the decider, reeling off consecutive breaks to open up a big lead on the hard-serving 24-year-old, before serving the match out for a spot in the third round, where he’ll face either Gael Monfils or Roberto Bautista Agut.
Federer, who won his first Masters 1000 match in Miami in 2000 over Justin Gimelstob, owns 21 Masters titles, and is bidding for his sixth Cincinnati title this week.
Federer improves his record to 3-0 vs. Pospisil with the victory, but he has dropped a set to the Canadian in each of their last two matches.
Notes, Numbers>>>
Only four players have ever reached the 200-win mark at the Masters level:
1. Federer, 300-89
2. Nadal, 281-54
3. Djokovic, 220-54
4. Agassi, 209-73
Federer is making his 14th appearance at Cincinnati. Only Michael Chang (16) has appeared at the event more times.
Federer takes over the tour lead in wins with his 45th victory.