The U.S. Open title is coming down to the top two players in the world–Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Sunday’s championship match pits the game’s best against each other at this stage of a second major in succession.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will be meeting for the 42nd time in their careers when they battle for the U.S. Open title on Sunday afternoon.
The head-to-head series could not be any closer, to the extent that it may be all tied up again by the time this one ends. Federer holds a 21-20 edge after beating Djokovic 7-6(1), 6-3 in this summer’s Cincinnati final. Djokovic, however, has won three of their five 2015 encounters–including a 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3 victory in the Wimbledon championship match. The Serb is 7-6 at his rival’s expense in Grand Slams despite losing four of their first five such showdowns.
Since toppling Djokovic in Cincinnati, an on-fire Federer has not looked back. Playing without question the best tennis in the world right now, Federer has not lost a set so far this fortnight. The 34-year-old Swiss punched his ticket to the title match by disposing of Leonardo Mayer, Steve Darcis, Philipp Kohlschreiber, John Isner, Richard Gasquet, and Stan Wawrinka. Only Isner pushed him to a pair of tiebreakers and nobody else even came within 7-5 in any set.
An aggressive Federer is striking winners from all over the court and he has continued to execute the Sneak Attack By Roger (SABR) tactic–although to what extent depends on the opponent. The world No. 2 never did it against Isner for obvious reasons, but he fared well with it on occasion versus Djokovic in Cincinnati.
“For me, if it makes sense–which I think it does–I’ll use it in the finals,” Federer commented. “I used it to great effect against [Djokovic] in the tough situation at 4-1 in the ‘breaker in Cincy. We will see if the occasion presents itself. It’s got to be the right point, right frame of mind, the right place to do it. I hope I’ll have the opportunity to do it.”
Djokovic has an opportunity to win his third major title of the year and effectively come within one match–besting Serena Williams, who was two matches away–of capturing the calendar-year Grand Slam. The top seed previously triumphed at the Australian Open and at Wimbledon to go along with his runner-up showing at Roland Garros. So far in New York he has defeated Joao Souza, Andreas Haider-Maurer, Andreas Seppi, Roberto Bautista Agut, Feliciano Lopez, and Marin Cilic–dropping sets to Bautista Agut and Lopez in the process.
“I came here with a wish and a mission: to reach the finals and fight for the trophy,” Djokovic assured. “So I got myself in that position. It’s already a great result. But I want to get that final step on Sunday and get my hands on that trophy. Obviously I’m not the only one who wants that. [A] Swiss player will be on (the) opposite side of the net. We will definitely want to have the same kind of mission.”
When the world’s two best players with the same goal collide, the result should be another instant classic. Federer is showcasing the better form, but can he sustain his incredible level from start to finish in a best-of-five situation? He has not been able to do that against Djokovic in recent times–and he will once again come painfully close.
Pick: Djokovic in 5
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I stick to my prediction. Federer losing no more than a set.
Nole seems tuckererd out! A 34 year old fresher than the 28 year old.
ALLEZ Roger!!!!
It is easy to see that Fed is better, but Djokovic makes such a pressure, like Rafa really.
That doesn’t make sense LOL
Just like Mac says, nothing seems to bother the guy.
Which is why he will win.
Three double faults …Djo
Riveting stuff.
Ricky has disappeared now he knows he picked wrong lol.
Djoko seems to be in a funk. SOmething is up with him and this does seem the usual “put Murray off guard” stuff
Yeah there is. He’s playing Roger inn the final of the US open.
If Ricky’s pick is right I’ll be the first to congratulate him on his superior pick.
Doubt he’ll reciprocate as it’s not his style.
Djokovic is so brave, amazing…
Can Djoko steal the set ala Rafa USO 2013
No
Perhaps
Well cant compare. Rafa was down 3 break points there at crucial point
Djokovic on the ropes now.
Whole nuther level.
NID
At 4;3 Becker stood up and was clearly signalling to Djokovic.
He was doing an uncle Toni
Signalling what? To break?
Nothing. Just like Uncle Toni was supposedly signaling Rafa.
I saw Becker stand up and did not see him signaling anything to Novak.
He very deliberately stroked his nose three times just before Nole served.It was quite blatant.
Just when you think Novak is not doing well, then he comes up with some great shots. He struggled to hold his serve and then gets the break to give him the shot to serve it out for the third set.
Again Fed loses serve being 40 15 up.
Overall this match has drama and excitement but is very sloppy. Too many errors from both.
Please serve it out nole . No dramas đ
Chokovic hitting short
There’s been drama throughout this match.
Chokovic won’t consolidate
Good call on this
Happier than you I was wrong.
You’ll learn.