US Open: Federer in a hurry for showdown against Djokovic
Familiar foes meet again after comfortable straight-set victories in semis
Federer has not dropped a set in his formidable Flushing Meadows run, while Djokovic has the upper hand in recent meetings between the two. PHOTOS: AFP
NEW YORK:
Roger Federer hopes to ride a wave of emotion as he targets a sixth US Open title and 18th major on Sunday in a “straight shootout” against world number one Novak Djokovic.
Federer, 34, is bidding to become the oldest champion in New York since 35-year-old Australian Ken Rosewall in 1970.
Playing in his 27th Grand Slam final and seventh at the US Open, Federer, the champion from 2004-2008 and runner-up in 2009, is a man reborn.
After losing his second Wimbledon final in succession to Djokovic in July, the Swiss veteran beat the Serb on his way to a seventh Cincinnati Masters crown.
He has also not dropped a set since his All England Club defeat, a stretch of 28 sets.
His semi-final demolition of French Open champion and compatriot Stan Wawrinka was as brutal as Djokovic’s dismantling of defending champion Marin Cilic.
Federer also has the crowd on his side as he pursues his first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.
Federer takes a 21-20 lead over Djokovic into Sunday’s final.
He also leads 3-2 in US Open meetings — including the 2007 championship match — but Djokovic won the last two, in the 2010 and 2011 semi-finals. Both of those went to five sets.
Federer says he knows what to expect from Djokovic, claiming that Rafael Nadal was the player who tested him the most.
“With Novak it’s been more straightforward. That’s what I like about the rivalry. I feel like he doesn’t need to adjust his game as much,” said the Swiss. “I think it’s just a straight shootout, and I think that’s the cool thing about our rivalry.”
Djokovic will be playing in his sixth US Open final, becoming champion in 2011, and his 18th in all Grand Slams.
Sunday’s meeting will be the pair’s sixth of 2015, all in finals.
Had it not been for Wawrinka playing the match of his life in June to defeat Djokovic and claim the French Open title, the Serb could have been pondering history on Sunday with a calendar Grand Slam.
“We all know how consistent Roger is and how good he is in the latter stages of Grand Slams and any other big tournament,” said Djokovic, a nine-time major winner. “I know that he’s also lately been very aggressive coming to the net, mixing up, and trying to shorten out the points.
“I think also he improved his speed. His defensive game is better than it was. Maybe healthier.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2015.
Roger Federer hopes to ride a wave of emotion as he targets a sixth US Open title and 18th major on Sunday in a “straight shootout” against world number one Novak Djokovic.
Federer, 34, is bidding to become the oldest champion in New York since 35-year-old Australian Ken Rosewall in 1970.
Playing in his 27th Grand Slam final and seventh at the US Open, Federer, the champion from 2004-2008 and runner-up in 2009, is a man reborn.
After losing his second Wimbledon final in succession to Djokovic in July, the Swiss veteran beat the Serb on his way to a seventh Cincinnati Masters crown.
He has also not dropped a set since his All England Club defeat, a stretch of 28 sets.
His semi-final demolition of French Open champion and compatriot Stan Wawrinka was as brutal as Djokovic’s dismantling of defending champion Marin Cilic.
Federer also has the crowd on his side as he pursues his first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.
Federer takes a 21-20 lead over Djokovic into Sunday’s final.
He also leads 3-2 in US Open meetings — including the 2007 championship match — but Djokovic won the last two, in the 2010 and 2011 semi-finals. Both of those went to five sets.
Federer says he knows what to expect from Djokovic, claiming that Rafael Nadal was the player who tested him the most.
“With Novak it’s been more straightforward. That’s what I like about the rivalry. I feel like he doesn’t need to adjust his game as much,” said the Swiss. “I think it’s just a straight shootout, and I think that’s the cool thing about our rivalry.”
Djokovic will be playing in his sixth US Open final, becoming champion in 2011, and his 18th in all Grand Slams.
Sunday’s meeting will be the pair’s sixth of 2015, all in finals.
Had it not been for Wawrinka playing the match of his life in June to defeat Djokovic and claim the French Open title, the Serb could have been pondering history on Sunday with a calendar Grand Slam.
“We all know how consistent Roger is and how good he is in the latter stages of Grand Slams and any other big tournament,” said Djokovic, a nine-time major winner. “I know that he’s also lately been very aggressive coming to the net, mixing up, and trying to shorten out the points.
“I think also he improved his speed. His defensive game is better than it was. Maybe healthier.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2015.