Serbia's Novak Djokovic produced the performance of his career to beat world number one and defending champion Roger Federer 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 and win the Montreal Masters on Sunday.
After beating Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal on his way to the final, the third seed claimed the biggest scalp in tennis to secure his fourth title in 2007.
“This is the best tournament of my career,” Djokovic told the crowd. “I won a (Masters) in Miami but here I beat the number three (Roddick) in the quarters, the number two (Nadal) in the semis and in the final, I beat the number one. I couldn't ask for more.”
Federer had been the overwhelming favourite to win his third Masters crown in Canada in as many appearances but instead suffered his first defeat in five meetings against Djokovic after producing 48 unforced errors.
The 20-year-old from Belgrade attacked the Federer backhand relentlessly throughout, ripping forehands up the line for a series of winners.
He saved six set points in the first set before snatching it on a tie-break 7-2. The Swiss top seed lifted his game in the second set, breaking the Serb twice to level the contest.
Djokovic broke in the opening game of the third set only to let a 4-2 lead slip as the Swiss hit back to 4-4.
But the Serb, who will return to third in the rankings when the new list is released on Monday, held his nerve to win the tie-break 7-2 and seal his second Masters Series title.
Ivanovic triumphs
Ana Ivanovic scored a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Nadia Petrova in the Los Angeles Classic final, reports Reuters from Los Angeles.
The 19-year-old Serb, who reached this year’s French Open final and Wimbledon semifinals, moved up to a career high number four when the world rankings were released on Monday.
She joined compatriot Djokovic in the winner’s circle. “He played amazing and I was motivated to do the same thing so we would have two titles today,” Ivanovic told reporters. “I knew he won before I went on court so it was a little more pressure for me, but I tried to play my best and I’m really happy.”
