Federer battles to US Open final

The Swiss master needed his full concentration to battle past the tough Russian Keystone

Roger Federer moved within one victory of his 12th grand slam title after beating Nikolay Davydenko 7-5, 6-1, 7-5 to reach the US Open tennis final on Saturday.

The Swiss tennis star, who will be seeking to become the first man to win four consecutive US championships since Bill Tilden in 1925, will face the only man to beat him over the past three months, number three seed Novak Djokovic.

On Saturday the number four seed Davydenko had two set points in the third set but three-times the world number one hit back to clinch victory and set up Sunday’s final against Djokovic of Serbia.

“It was tough and I thought it was quite windy today,” Federer said.

“When I came back in the first set I started to play really well. Then I had some chances early in the third set but after that he started to play much better and made it tough. In the end I am relieved to get through.”

In a repeat of last year’s semi-final, Davydenko went ahead 3-1 in the first set and was one point away from going up 4-1, but Federer saved a break point by ending an 11-stroke exchange with a backhand winner down the line.

Federer then converted his fifth break point to even things at 3-3. But when Federer served for the first set at 5-3, Davydenko saved one set point with a return winner, then broke with a cross-court forehand.

They appeared headed to a tiebreaker, but Federer broke back to end the set with an angled forehand volley. It was the first set lost by Davydenko all tournament.

The Swiss then cruised easily through the second, 6-1, as Davydenko wilted.

Dazed

The Russian lifted his game impressively in a roller-coaster of a third set that included seven breaks of serve.

Three times he led by a break and at 5-4 he forced two set points on Federer’s serve only for the world number one to shut the door.

The Swiss clinched victory to secure a place in his 10th consecutive grand slam final.

It all left Davydenko in a daze: “He sometimes plays so well and you are losing points and you’re surprised because you don’t know how it is possible.”

Federer said he was thrilled to be in the final again.

“I’m happy I am through in three because who knows what would have happened if it had gone to four against a great player like Nikolay,” Federer said.

“I guess the best players of the summer are in the final,” said Federer, all too aware that he lost to Djokovic at a hard-court event in Montreal in early August.

Djokovic earlier beat Spain’s David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the first semi-final.

While Djokovic will be aiming for his first major title, Federer will be trying to tie Roy Emerson for second in tennis history behind Pete Sampras’ 14.

swissinfo with agencies

Roger Federer profile

Date of birth: August 8, 1981
Height: 185cm
Weight: 80kg
Plays: Right-handed, single-handed backhand
Turned pro: 1998

(As of August 20, 2007)
Singles record: 528 wins, 131 losses
Singles titles: 50
Career prize money: $33,240,078

US Open facts

Surface: Hard court.

2006 Men’s Singles Champion: Roger Federer
2006 Women’s Singles Champion: Maria Sharapova of Russia.

American Bill Tilden was the last man to win the US Grand Slam four times in a row, taking six straight titles from 1920-25.

Prize money: the men’s and women’s singles champions receive $1.4 million (SFr1.68 million) each.
Total purse: $19.6 million at least.

If he wins, Federer stands to take home a record $2.4 million that includes a special bonus for best overall result in a series of North American tournaments.