‘Federer
Secures Fourth US Title in a Row as Record Continue to Tumble’
Federer (Swi) bt. Djokovic (Ser) 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 – 9th September 2007 – US Open Final
World Number One Roger Federer took another step towards Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam title record as he defeated a spirited Novak Djokovic in the US Open Final in New York. The title was Federer’s fourth American Grand Slam title in a row which equaled a record set way back in 1923 at the same time earning him a 12th Grand Slam title.
The 26 year old didn't have it all his own way over and was made to earn his latest victory and despite his status as a debutant in an Grand Slam final Novak Djokovic had the champion on the ropes in each set and although he was not able to convert any one of seven set points in the first two sets he will be wiser for the experience of having played against the quality of Federer.
The Swiss hall of famer trailed by a break in each set but played some trademark tennis at key moments to ensure parity was restored immediately. In game eleven, his trusty forehand let him down before Djokovic had a chance to move in for the kill at 40-0 during his next service game but like the champion he is Federer fought his way back, preventing a total of five break points in a row before taking the game to a tie break. The pressure seemed to get to the young Serbian during the end of the first set as he double faulted at set point down allowing Federer a decisive lead.
It was a huge blow to the confidence of the novice Serb but he kept his composure and broke the Swiss at the first opportunity as more errors flowed from Federer’s racquet. At 4-1 down it looked as if Federer would have an epic battle on his hands but Djokovic failed to convert more set points giving the reigning champion the opportunity to regain his concentration and during the tie break smash the resolve of the budding Djokovic.
The third set went with serve all the way until the 10th game but in between Djokovic hand chances to claw his way back into the match. At one point he had 0-40 on the Federer serve but missed two backhands and a forehand which when playing with more confidence against a lesser opponent he may have made easily.
The Champions class soon began to shine as he hit an incredible angled backhand winner during an incredible rally to take the match to deuce at 5-4 and despite Djokovic saving match point with a spectacular lob a back hand into the net was enough to secure Federer yet another US Open title and in front of the usual passionate supporters on the Arthur Ashe centre court he hoisted high a fourth consecutive Championship, netting himself an estimated $2.5m in prize money in the process.
The 26 year old didn't have it all his own way over and was made to earn his latest victory and despite his status as a debutant in an Grand Slam final Novak Djokovic had the champion on the ropes in each set and although he was not able to convert any one of seven set points in the first two sets he will be wiser for the experience of having played against the quality of Federer.
The Swiss hall of famer trailed by a break in each set but played some trademark tennis at key moments to ensure parity was restored immediately. In game eleven, his trusty forehand let him down before Djokovic had a chance to move in for the kill at 40-0 during his next service game but like the champion he is Federer fought his way back, preventing a total of five break points in a row before taking the game to a tie break. The pressure seemed to get to the young Serbian during the end of the first set as he double faulted at set point down allowing Federer a decisive lead.
It was a huge blow to the confidence of the novice Serb but he kept his composure and broke the Swiss at the first opportunity as more errors flowed from Federer’s racquet. At 4-1 down it looked as if Federer would have an epic battle on his hands but Djokovic failed to convert more set points giving the reigning champion the opportunity to regain his concentration and during the tie break smash the resolve of the budding Djokovic.
The third set went with serve all the way until the 10th game but in between Djokovic hand chances to claw his way back into the match. At one point he had 0-40 on the Federer serve but missed two backhands and a forehand which when playing with more confidence against a lesser opponent he may have made easily.
The Champions class soon began to shine as he hit an incredible angled backhand winner during an incredible rally to take the match to deuce at 5-4 and despite Djokovic saving match point with a spectacular lob a back hand into the net was enough to secure Federer yet another US Open title and in front of the usual passionate supporters on the Arthur Ashe centre court he hoisted high a fourth consecutive Championship, netting himself an estimated $2.5m in prize money in the process.