Federer Bids for 50th Career ATP Title vs. Djokovic in Montreal Final

World No. 1 and two-time Rogers Masters champion Roger Federer takes a 4-0 career record against No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic into Sunday’s final in Montreal. 

The top-seeded Federer, who won the title in Toronto in 2004 and last year, is attempting to capture his 50th career title and 14th ATP Masters Series crown. He is 4-2 in finals this season. Djokovic is making his third showing in an ATP Masters Series final this year, all in North America (15-1 record), winning in Miami (d. Canas) and reaching the final in Indian Wells (l. to Nadal). He is 3-1 in finals this season.

Both players have yet to lose a set this week and in fact both have lost their serve only once en route to the final.

Up for grabs are 500 ATP Ranking points and $400,000 while the runner-up earns 350 points and $200,000.

Federer is looking to become the third player in the Open Era to win at least three Canadian titles. Ivan Lendl won six titles (1980-81, ’83, ’87-89) and Andre Agassi three titles (1992, ’94-95).

The No. 4th-ranked Djokovic is trying to defeat the Top 3 players in the ATP Rankings after defeating No. 3 Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. He will move to No. 3 on Monday.

Federer is also attempting to capture his 50th career title. If he wins on Sunday, he would become the fifth-youngest player to accomplish the feat at 26 years, 4 days (replacing Sampras). He would also become the ninth player in the Open Era (since 1968) to win at least 50 career titles:

Age at 50th Title
1) Bjorn Borg 23 years, 7 months
2) Jimmy Connors 23 years, 11 months
3) John McEnroe 25 years, 2 months
4) Ivan Lendl 25 years, 7 months
5) Pete Sampras 26 years, 1 month

(ATP Digital Services)