What happens when Roger Federer plays sub-par tennis, makes numerous unforced errors, does not find his form throughout the match and just about manages to play well on the big points? The answer to this lengthy question is “He wins the title, after taming his opponent in straight setsâ€! This was proved well beyond doubt in the 2007 US Open final when the current world no.1 beats tennis’ new favorite Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-4), 7-6(7-2) 6-4 to clinch his fourth US Open singles title and 12th grand slam title. The Swiss star is now just two slams short of Sampras’ slam count of 14 and is quite likely to equal it the next year.
The Sunday’s final though resolved in three straight sets, was never short in entertainment value. The first set was a match by itself with both players hitting some exciting winners and demonstrating their shot-making abilities. Federer saved no less than 5 set points in that set and the pattern repeated in the second when he saved 2 more. Roger showed his class and played strong on the key points, while Djokovic was never the same after failing to capitalize on the set points in the first set set. Novak’s lack of big-stage experience and nerves aided the top seed, who himself was suffering from a stomach problem.
Of all his 12 slam finals, Federer’s performance in this match was the least dominant, as he made 34 unforced errors (a number way above his tournament average of 14!), missed easy volleys and made uncharacteristic errors on his usually sharp forehand side. He did hit 42 winners and his 11 aces came at the most opportune time.
Novak on his part had a great tournament and his reaching the finals was no surprise. The jovial Serb has the third best slam record (19-4) this year after Federer (27-1) and Nadal (20-3) and joins the top two players at the year-end Shanghai Masters Cup.
David Ferrer was a big gainer from the tournament as he reached his first slam semifinals here and then ran out of steam against an ailing Djokovic. Russian Nikolay Davydenko justified his fourth seeding and reached the semifinal stage without dropping a set. He then loses to Federer in straight sets after wasting two set points on his opponents serve in the third set at 5-4.
American Players Disappoint:Â
The final slam of the year ended what was a disappointing year for American men at slams. James Blake crashed out to German Tommy Haas in the fourth round after playing in one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches in round-2 against Fabrice Santoro. Robby Ginepri lost to in-form Swiss player Stanislas Wawrinka in round-3 and Mardy Fish squandered a 4-1 lead in the final set to lose to Spaniard Tommy Robredo in round-2. Andy Roddick was the best of the top as he expectedly reached the quarterfinals before losing to Roger in an entertaining three-setter. Future American hope Donald Young won his first grand slam match and reached the third round where he lost to Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in 4 entertaining sets.
Tim Henman played his last US Open match in his round-2 defeat to French hard-hitter Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Henman announced his retirement and would play his last competitive matches in the Davis Cup encounter between Croatia and Great Britain. Andy Murray made an injury-free return to grand slams as he reached the third round before losing to Korean Hyung-Taik Lee.
Find of the tournament
Latvian 20 year-old Ernests Gulbis was the find of the men’s draw as he surprised everyone when he reached the fourth round of the tournament, eventually losing to veteran Carlos Moya). On route, he defeated the 8th seed Tommy Robredo in straight sets.
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