Roger Federer bounced back from his Olympic final defeat by comfortably seeing off Novak Djokovic to win the Western & Southern Open title.
The world number one was beaten in straight sets by Andy Murray on the Wimbledon grass at London 2012, with the Scot avenging his loss in the final at SW19 to the Swiss four weeks earlier.
But Federer has shown no signs of self-pity this week and brushed aside world number two Djokovic 6-0 7-6 (9/7) in 80 minutes on Sunday to collect his fifth Cincinnati trophy and his 21st Masters 1000 crown - equalling Rafael Nadal's record.
Neither player had dropped serve all week but Djokovic started sloppily, with Federer breaking in the opening game.
Djokovic, who earned quick revenge for his Olympic defeat to Juan Martin del Potro with a 6-3 6-2 success on Saturday, could not recover and Federer broke twice more to surprisingly wrap up the opening set in convincing fashion after just 20 minutes.
Federer was in opportunistic mood, converting three of four break-point chances although Djokovic only put 50% of his first serves in play and aided his opponent's cause with four double faults.
It was the first time Federer had "bagelled" the Australian Open champion and perhaps stung into action, Djokovic looked a lot more comfortable in a tighter second set, where there were no break point opportunities for either player.
In the tie-break, the 25-year-old Serb held set point at 7-6 but it was ruthlessly wiped out by some attacking play at the net from Federer, who then closed out the match with two spectacular forehand winners.
Kenny Turner
10:33pm on 19/8/2012
Hmm.. Fed wants to hold-on to # 1 spot as long as he can - wants that particular record forever. I wasn't sure how he'd approach this final; try-like-heck to beat Djoko, further consolidating his position as world #1, or relax before US Open and conserve his old bones? Fed also wants another Major - he just sent out a message to the others, but I don't think it matters cos know what I think? I think Andy Murray will win the US Open. Murray tore Fed to bits in Gold Medal match when Fed was utilising all his skills - you better believe he was trying, he wanted that Gold Medal. Fed was tired after long Del Potro match? Nonsense, utter nonsense; he had barrels of energy during that crucial tie-break, the one won by Murray. Fed's head went down after that and the Indian-sign he'd had over Murray was destroyed, the spell broken. Murray now has the essential ingredient for that next crucial step - he believes, he KNOWS he can nail Fed. Bring-it-on!