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Cincinnati - World number two Roger Federer won his second ATP Cincinnati Masters crown in a row on Sunday, outlasting American Mardy Fish 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 for his 63rd career title.
The Swiss superstar, who is bidding for a 17th Grand Slam crown when the US Open begins on August 30, matched Bjorn Borg for fifth on the all-time Open Era title list and captured his fourth Cincinnati crown after 2005, 2007 and 2009.
Wildcard entrant Fish, who had won recent titles in Newport and Atlanta, failed in his bid to become the first unseeded champion in the event, the final major tuneup for the year's last Grand Slam tournament.
Federer's victory kept Fish, 28, from reaching a career-high 16th in the rankings but the American will still rise considerably from 36th where he began the week.
Fish netted a backhand on the first break-point chance of the third set to hand Federer a 5-4 lead and the Swiss third seed held serve for the victory, which came after two hours and 40 minutes when Fish sent a backhand wide.
Fish denied Federer on four break points in the first set without ever managing to get one against the Swiss star, but came through in the tie-breaker when it mattered most to claim the opening set.
Federer smacked a forehand winner for a 5-4 lead, but Fish answered with an overhead smash, achieved a set point when Federer netted a backhand and took the set after 67 minutes with a service winner.
Fish managed a break point in the fifth game of the second set but sent a forehand beyond the baseline on the way to another tie-breaker.
Federer dominated the second tie-breaker, losing only the third point on a Fish ace and ending it with his ninth ace of the match.
