A well-rested Federer beat American Mardy Fish 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 6-4 on Sunday, winning his second straight Cincinnati Masters championship and fourth overall. He was barely on the court all week because his opponents got hurt and his game was so good.

For the first time, the world’s second-ranked player was pushed to the limit. Fish kept it as close as could be, dropping the final set after the match’s only service break.

That time off came in handy.

“Maybe I was just a touch fitter than him today,” Federer said.

The Swiss star ended a streak of three straight losses in tournament finals, winning his first Masters event since Cincinnati last year. His 63rd career title tied Bjorn Borg for fifth place in the Open Era. Pete Sampras is fourth at 64, and Jimmy Connors holds the record with 109.

It took him 2 hours, 40 minutes — an eternity compared to how the rest of the week went. Federer had spent only 3 hours, 17 minutes on court while getting to the title match.

Credit Fish for making him sweat one out.

The American had surgery on his left knee last September, then set about rebuilding his body. He changed his diet, lost 30 pounds and gained a lot of speed on the court.

This Fish can fly.

His agility allowed him to extend points and keep up with Federer, who was clearly fresher. Federer lost to Andy Murray in the title match at Toronto last Sunday, came to town and got a mini-break. He was on court for only 28 minutes in his opening match before Denis Istomin hurt his ankle. Federer didn’t even have to leave the locker room to advance a day later. Philipp Kohlschreiber dropped out because of a sore shoulder.

Federer sailed through his next two matches, winning each in two tidy sets. Fish provided his first real test.

The 28-year-old American is on the best stretch of his career, going 17-2 since July with titles at Newport and Atlanta. He’d won five in a row against top-10 opponents, gaining confidence with each upset.

The title match was an opportunity for a breakthrough win. Fish had reached only two other Masters finals — including Cincinnati in 2003 against close friend Andy Roddick — and lost both of them.

Three games into the title match, Federer knew it wouldn’t be easy.

With Fish serving, the third game dragged on for 13 minutes — nearly half as long as Federer’s opening match — and 24 points. Fish fought off a pair of break points before holding serve with an ace.

Fish’s serve dominated all week, matching the tournament record with 87 aces. He struggled with it early but hung on, extending the opening set to the place where he’s been best — a tiebreaker.

Fish is 18-5 in tiebreakers this season, showing a lot of confidence when it comes down to a few pressure points. Federer went ahead 5-4 in the tiebreaker and was serving the next two points with a chance to close it out.

Instead, Fish hit an overhead winner and Federer dumped a backhand into the net. Fish then finished it with a 126 mph serve.

It was the first set that Federer lost during his brief week on court. It lasted 70 minutes — as long as Federer’s semifinal match on Saturday night.

The second set was even tighter, with Federer fighting off the only break point. He was more aggressive in this tiebreaker, coming to the net to take control, then closing it out with a 122 mph ace.

Federer got the only service break of the match to go ahead 5-4 in the final set, leaving him in a good frame of mind heading into the US Open.

Bob and Mike Bryan won their 64th career doubles title, beating Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi 6-3, 6-4 to close the $2.4 million Western & Southern Financial Group Masters.
 
Wozniacki, Zvonareva in Rogers Cup final

In Montreal, Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva will play in the final of the rain-delayed Rogers Cup.

Wozniacki, the No. 2 seed, beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-3 on Monday. The eighth-seeded Zvonareva advanced when her opponent, No. 10 seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, retired with a blister on her left foot. Zvonareva led 7-6, 1-0.

Wozniacki and the 11th-seeded Kuznetsova completed a semifinal that began Saturday but was cut short due to relentless rain that wiped out nearly all weekend matches and forced the tournament to be extended an extra day.

The Dane began the day with a 2-0, 0-15 lead over her Russian opponent.

Azarenka wasted a set point early in the second semifinal. She called for the trainer after dropping the opening game of the second set. She tried to walk on the foot, but immediately sat back down.

She said the injury was not severe enough to keep her out of the US Open.

“It’s just one of those things you can’t do anything about,” said Azarenka, who was in tears as she spoke to reporters after the match. “I tried to deal with it, but I couldn’t continue.”

The final is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EDT.