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| The Swiss Mister has won four of five career meetings against Djokovic, but is still smarting from the Montreal loss in early August. Set to play each other for the fourth time this year, Federer will surely have revenge on his mind, looking to teach the entertaining young upstart a lesson. | | | | The biggest win of his brief career, Djokovic famously upset Federer in the final of the Montreal Masters, a best-of-three match format. Arguably the most incredible accomplishment of the year, the Serbian defeated Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, and Federer in succession. | |
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| Win or lose, assured of retaining the world No. 1 ranking, Federer’s quest toward tennis immortality is the biggest obstacle standing in his way. With 11 Grand Slam titles, Federer could equal Roy Emerson on the all-time list with 12 titles. Federer is also trying to become the first four-time defending US Open champion since Bill Tilden. | | | | A scary thought considering that he is about to compete in his first Grand Slam final, Djokovic hasn’t been at his top form all tournament. All too often, he has sprayed easy (for him) forehand and backhand winners. But what makes Djokovic great is his world-class defense and an innate ability to raise his game on the points that matter the most. He will need to be at his absolute best. | |
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| Uncharacteristic for a man who has set the bar so high, the three-time defending champion dropped a set (gasp!) in consecutive matches to American John Isner and Feliciano Lopez, at times looking vulnerable. Federer’s most complete match came against fifth-seed Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals, a masterful display of all-around tennis. | | | | The third seed has spent 16 hours on the court over the two-week event, but the bulk of those hours came about in the early rounds over the first week. The toughest second-round match-up in the men’s draw, Djokovic outlasted Radek Stepanek in nearly five hours. | |
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| Take this statistic with a grain of salt, but Federer committed a whopping 48 unforced errors in the Montreal final against Djokovic. He couldn't possibly rake up that many errors against the Serb's stifling defense again...or could he? | | | | Djokovic believes that he can win his first major, even though it’s against a seemingly indomitable opponent. I think I'm ready, and I need to be ready,” said Djokovic. “I need to think like this. I need to believe in myself, because otherwise I wouldn't get the positive outcome. I don't want to go out tomorrow and try to do my best or try to perform well. No, I'll go tomorrow to try to win.” | |
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| Among the tournament leaders in aces – a vastly underrated aspect to Federer’s game – the world No. 1 has struck 64 aces over six matches, several of which have bailed him out of sticky situations. | | | | Second only to James Blake, Djokovic and Andy Roddick are tied for the most hard court victories (35) over the summer. Playing on his best surface, the self-professed baseliner is the third-youngest US Open finalist in the Open Era after Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg. At 19 years, 28 days old, Djokovic is attempting to become the second-youngest Open winner ever. | |
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| The 2007 US Open Series winner, Federer can double his payout if he wins the championship. The US Open title would increase his winnings from the base $1.2 million to a bonus challenge total of $2.4 million. | | | | Similar to yesterday, windy conditions are expected today, made more difficult by the swirling winds at court level in Arthur Ashe Stadium. In his semifinal against David Ferrer, Djokovic committed 38 unforced errors. He will have to be sharper today, no mater what the weather brings. | |
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