U.S. Open

I watched the semifinals Saturday and yesterday. I am really glad that Federer was able to play his game against Djokovic. The Nadal/Murray match was rained out. They started it early but still didn't get it sorted out before the rain came. That is why the semifinal leaked over to Sunday. I was so mad about that. I really wanted to know who Roger was going to play. And I have work at 5:00ET (which is 3:00pm here) when the finals start. I really hope the VCR works. It should and if it doesn't I am going to be so angry. I was so surprised that Nadal lost to Murray. I wanted Nadal to win that way we could see a Federer/Nadal rematch.

This article was in the USA Today today. lol. It made me wonder what position Roger Federer is going to be in now. Does he get his number one spot back or is he going to stay at number two?

Dogged by doubts, Federer faces confident Murray in final
By Douglas Robson, Special for USA TODAY

NEW YORK — Six years ago, Pete Sampras won his 14th and final major in the U.S. Open after arriving in New York at 31 without a hardcourt title that season, lacking in confidence and dogged by doubts about his ability to win majors.

Sound familiar, Roger Federer?

When No. 2 Federer and No. 6 Andy Murray square off in today's men's final, Federer will again be the favorite, unlike Sampras, who showed up in New York title-less for two years and never played another match after beating Andre Agassi in the 2002 final.

But like Sampras, Federer, 27, has yet to win a hardcourt event in 2008 and has used the growing chorus of questions about his former invincibility to fuel his run.

"The one similarity is that Roger seems like he has a little edge, like, 'Hey, people are writing me off,' " TV commentator Patrick McEnroe says. "With Pete, he was really struggling. Roger is still right there near the top, and I think he's used that to motivate himself."

Federer might not need extra motivation, but he will require near-flawless execution to hold off Murray, a cagey, surging, all-court virtuoso prone to pulling back his sleeve to expose his newly fit biceps after wins.

Murray, 21, proved his mettle Sunday afternoon when he weathered a strong assault from world No. 1 Rafael Nadal to complete a rain-delayed semifinal 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4 and advance to his first major final.

"I have the tennis to compete with those guys," Murray said of the two top-ranked players.

Much of this first Grand Slam meeting could ride on Federer's familiarity with competing the final Sunday — or in this case, today — and Murray's lack thereof.

"I've played well against him in the past," said Murray, a native of Dunblane, Scotland. "He's got loads of experience in these situations, and it's something new for me."

Both overcame big hurdles in their semifinals. Federer avenged a loss to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals, and Murray had been 0-5 against Nadal.

"I always thought Andy has incredible talent," Federer said Saturday.

A more emotional Federer seemed to find vintage form in turning back Djokovic 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 Saturday in his record 18th consecutive semifinal in a Grand Slam tournament. He will play in the final for the 13th time in the last 14 majors.

"I feel a little bit New Yorker right now," Federer said after his win. "I definitely appreciate the efforts from the fans, supporting me and pushing me forward."

Murray's match with Nadal was moved Saturday to the smaller Louis Armstrong Stadium, but not until 90 minutes after Federer-Djokovic began. They did not avoid the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna, which dumped enough rain to suspend the semifinal in the third set with Murray leading 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) 2-3 and postpone the women's final.

Today's outcome could depend on which Federer shows up — the one who dominated the tour from 2004 to 2007 or the one who has played a notch below his regular standard after contracting mononucleosis to start the season.

Murray's chances hinge on how he handles the pressure of his first major final. If he lacks experience, the former U.S. Open boys champion finds the distracting, loud New York atmosphere to his liking.

"Ever since I was 15, 16 years old, I've loved playing here," said Murray, who called
the U.S. Open — Wimbledon notwithstanding — his favorite tournament.

"When he's playing aggressive, he can beat everybody," Nadal said.

By Julie Jacobson, AP

Roger Federer will aim at his fifth consecutive U.S. Open title and 34th consecutive win in the U.S. Open when he faces Andy Murray in the men's singles final on
Monday.

MEN'S FINAL AT A GLANCE

Andy Murray (6) vs. Roger Federer (2)

Career titles: Murray, 6; Federer, 55

2008 titles: Murray, 3 (Doha, Marseille, ATP Masters Series Cincinnati); Federer, 2 (Estoril, Halle)

Grand Slam titles: Murray, 0; Federer, 12

Head-to-head: Murray leads 2-1

Tournament, surface, round: result
Bangkok, hardcourt, final: Federer 6-3, 7-5
ATP Masters Series Cincinnati, hardcourt, round of 32: Murray 7-5, 6-4
Dubai, hardcourt, round of 32: Murray 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-4

The matchup: Murray is in his first Grand Slam final, and he's playing a 12-time Grand Slam champ. But Murray is one of the few players on tour who has a winning record vs. Federer. Murray, who serves big and has a big forehand, has shown in the tournament just how good his movement is. Federer has had a disappointing year by his standards with only two minor titles, no Grand Slams and the end of his record 237-week run at No. 1. But he has flashed emotion and some of his all-court brilliance in New York, where he chases his fifth consecutive U.S. Open title.