<p>The victory came as the Swiss world number two played for the second consecutive week in a final after losing in Toronto to Andy Murray seven days ago.<br /><br />"It's nice knowing that the hard work already in the off season after Wimbledon pays off right away," said Federer, now with 63 career titles.<br /><br />"I came close a couple times earlier in the season. I should have won Halle (in June), I could have won Madrid (in May), but things didn't really work my way. I was maybe playing a little bit too passive. Now I'm taking it more to the opponents again.<br /><br />"I'm happy that that's the right game plan right now."<br /><br />The success was the second of the season for Federer, whose last title came at the Australian Open over Murray.<br /><br />Against Fish, four-time Cincinnati champion Federer produced 45 winners, including 11 aces in the struggle lasting more than two and a half hours.<br /><br />Federer served out the victory a game after earning the only break of the match to lead 5-4 in the final set. Fish, the number 36 with two titles this summer, saved a first match point but could only swung wide on a second to end the contest.<br /><br />"I feel great, obviously, I've done some things that I've never done before," said the losing finalist. "I'll be able to put this match in perspective very shortly.<br /><br />"I played well today, he played well today. It was a pretty high level, I thought, for the most part. In two matches he's only broken me one time in five sets."<br /><br />Fish won their last match, at Indian Wells two years ago.<br /><br />Federer stands 2-3 in finals this year after playing in his 90th career ATP level final (63-27). The Swiss moves alongside Andre Agassi on 17 career Masters 1000 titles, one fewer than Rafael Nadal.<br /><br />The focus now shifts to the US Open, starting a week from Monday.<br /><br />"It's going to be interesting," said Federer. "Many guys are playing well again.<br /><br />"Murray didn't win a tournament for a long time, and he's been able to win Toronto again. So that definitely puts him as one of the favorites as well.<br /><br />"The top four have the best shot again, naturally. We can all play really well on the hardcourts."<br /><br />Federer won Cincinnati in 2005, 2007 and last season. He joins Mats Wilander (1983-84, 1986, 1988) as the only players in the post-1968 Open era to win four titles at the event.</p>
<p>The victory came as the Swiss world number two played for the second consecutive week in a final after losing in Toronto to Andy Murray seven days ago.<br /><br />"It's nice knowing that the hard work already in the off season after Wimbledon pays off right away," said Federer, now with 63 career titles.<br /><br />"I came close a couple times earlier in the season. I should have won Halle (in June), I could have won Madrid (in May), but things didn't really work my way. I was maybe playing a little bit too passive. Now I'm taking it more to the opponents again.<br /><br />"I'm happy that that's the right game plan right now."<br /><br />The success was the second of the season for Federer, whose last title came at the Australian Open over Murray.<br /><br />Against Fish, four-time Cincinnati champion Federer produced 45 winners, including 11 aces in the struggle lasting more than two and a half hours.<br /><br />Federer served out the victory a game after earning the only break of the match to lead 5-4 in the final set. Fish, the number 36 with two titles this summer, saved a first match point but could only swung wide on a second to end the contest.<br /><br />"I feel great, obviously, I've done some things that I've never done before," said the losing finalist. "I'll be able to put this match in perspective very shortly.<br /><br />"I played well today, he played well today. It was a pretty high level, I thought, for the most part. In two matches he's only broken me one time in five sets."<br /><br />Fish won their last match, at Indian Wells two years ago.<br /><br />Federer stands 2-3 in finals this year after playing in his 90th career ATP level final (63-27). The Swiss moves alongside Andre Agassi on 17 career Masters 1000 titles, one fewer than Rafael Nadal.<br /><br />The focus now shifts to the US Open, starting a week from Monday.<br /><br />"It's going to be interesting," said Federer. "Many guys are playing well again.<br /><br />"Murray didn't win a tournament for a long time, and he's been able to win Toronto again. So that definitely puts him as one of the favorites as well.<br /><br />"The top four have the best shot again, naturally. We can all play really well on the hardcourts."<br /><br />Federer won Cincinnati in 2005, 2007 and last season. He joins Mats Wilander (1983-84, 1986, 1988) as the only players in the post-1968 Open era to win four titles at the event.</p>
