A review of Cincinnati's past champions: Federer with seven titles, and Djokovic's long journey finally leading him to become a Golden Master!

The Cincinnati Masters will be announced tonight according to Beijing time. Before the tournament kicks off, let's take a look at the men's singles champions and runners-up from around the turn of the millennium to the present.

The most successful player in the history of this tournament is undoubtedly Swiss legend Federer, who has won seven titles, including two successful title defenses. His final match opponents included three local stars: Roddick, Fish, and Blake. Additionally, there is the consistent Spaniard Ferrer, who has been a perennial rival of Federer, along with Djokovic, whom Federer has defeated three times. Interestingly, each time Federer overcame Djokovic, it was exactly three years apart.

However, Federer's only loss is also significant, as it completed Djokovic's final piece in becoming a Golden Master. That was in 2018, when Djokovic returned to the pinnacle of Grand Slam tennis after winning Wimbledon the previous year and, riding the momentum, finally defeated Federer at the Cincinnati Masters.

Speaking of Djokovic's history in this tournament, it has been a journey filled with challenges. Historically, apart from losing to Federer in the finals, he has also lost to Murray twice. Notably, in 2011, during his first peak year, he suffered a rare defeat in that year's Masters final.

However, after achieving the unique status of being the only Golden Master in tennis history, he defeated the rejuvenated Raonic in 2020, and his match against Alcaraz in 2023 was an astonishing encounter that went to a best-of-three format.

Interestingly, Murray, during his peak year in 2016, lost to Cilic, achieving his first and so far only Masters title. Besides Murray, Dimitrov also claimed his only Masters title in 2017 by defeating Australian Kyrgios. By the way, Kyrgios was also the runner-up in Cincinnati, marking his closest attempt at a Masters title.

When we mention a Masters title, we cannot forget about Cilic from three years ago. That year, he delivered a powerful performance and ultimately defeated Tsitsipas in the finals, leaving everyone in awe!

Historically, compared to the Canadian Masters, Nadal has won significantly fewer titles at the Cincinnati Masters, but his sole victory is noteworthy. In 2013, he became the third player to achieve the North American Triple Crown in the same season, following Rafter and Roddick. This is a feat that even the formidable hardcourt kings, Djokovic and Federer, have not accomplished.

Of course, there are notable players who have yet to win this tournament; former world number one Hewitt has finished as a runner-up twice, while other local players, such as Isner, who has won a title at the Miami Masters, have also missed out on another trophy. Other notable runners-up include Goffin, Henman, Alcaraz, and Rublev.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Luo Cheng Qi Ye)