Federer going for 16th Slam in U.S. Open final
Last Updated: Monday, September 14, 2009 | 3:11 PM ET
CBC Sports
Federer called his semifinal circus shot the greatest of his career. (Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)Roger Federer punctuated his semifinal win in the U.S. Open over Novak Djokovic with what he said was the "greatest shot he ever hit" in his life.
Few could argue with that. Two points away from victory, Federer chased down a Djokovic lob and fired a between-the-legs cross-court winner from behind the baseline.
"You just say, 'Well done,'" said Djokovic, who could only smile after the shot was made. "What can you do?"
So how the heck does Federer follow that up in the final?
Winning his record 16th Grand Slam title (and sixth straight U.S. Open) would probably do the trick.
The No. 1-seeded Swiss superstar will get his chance Monday afternoon at Flushing Meadows in New York, when he faces Juan Martin del Potro, who defeated Rafael Nadal in the other semi to set the matchup.
"Right now, I'm pretty relaxed," Federer said after his victory on Sunday. "We'll see how it goes when the sun comes up. I'd like to keep this going. It'd be great to get my first Grand Slam as a dad."
His amazing shot and mesmerizing play while defeating Djokovic 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-5 on Sunday brought some light to a tournament darkened by match-delaying rain and a stunning tirade by Serena Williams near the end of her semifinal loss on Saturday.
Williams was fined $10,000 US and may receive more punishment after screaming profanities at a line judge when a foot fault cost her a crucial point.
In women's play Monday, Serena and Venus Williams downed Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-2, 6-2 for their 10th career Grand Slam doubles title.
Serena and sister Venus will play in the doubles final on Monday against Cara Black and Liezel Huber before Federer and del Potro take centre stage.
Daddy dearest
Federer, who became a father in July when his wife Mirka Vavrinec gave birth to twins, is looking for his 41st straight victory at the U.S. Open, and is appearing in his 21st Grand Slam final, also a record.
Fellow parent Kim Clijsters punctuated her return to tennis by winning the women's final on Saturday.
Clijsters was playing in her third tournament since leaving the game two years ago to start a family, and defeated 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3 to win her second Grand Slam title.
"It was not really our plan," Clijsters said. "I just wanted to start these three tournaments and get back into the rhythm of playing tennis and get used to the surroundings again."
Her 18-month-old daughter, Jada, came down to the court to take part in the celebration with her mom.
The sixth-seeded Del Potro looks like the clear underdog heading into the men's final versus Federer, as he's 0-6 all-time against the world No. 1.
But looks could be a little deceiving. The last time Del Potro faced Federer was in the semifinal of the French Open, and he pushed Federer to the limit until eventually falling 3-6, 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Before that match, the Argentine hadn't even taken a set from Federer.
Del Potro thumped an ailing Nadal in straight sets to get to the final.
"Maybe my green eyes. I don't know," he said. "It's very tough playing against Rafa or Roger. But today I play unbelievable, and that was the key."
Nadal may have been hurting, but he wasn't using his abdominal injury as an excuse for the loss.
"I'm going to repeat: He played much better than me, and for that reason he beat me," Nadal said.
With files from The Associated Press
