14. 09. 2009. ·
Fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic failed in attempt to reach his third Grand Slam final. He lost to five-time defending champion Roger Federer in three tight sets 6-7(3), 5-7, 5-7 in 2 hours and 34 minutes.
Nole saved two break points in the fifth game of the first set. He made a break in the sixth game to go up 4-2. The Swiss broke back immediately converting the first of three chances and then held to level the score to 4-4. Djokovic faced scare in the eleventh game but survived, and the set went to a tiebreaker. Roger made three mini breaks, two more than Novak, and won it 7-3.
The 22-year old from Belgrade pushed Federer to deuce in the seventh game of the second set but the world no.1 held. Novak saved two break/set points in the 12th game, but Roger earned the third and used it to take the set 7-5.
Federer failed to capitalise on two chances for break in the eighth game of the third set, and then Nole missed two break points in the next. The Serb dropped serve in the 12th game to lose the set and match 7-5.
Djokovic served 6 aces to Federer’s 7.
Both players made 33 unforced errors, but the Swiss hit 49 winners, 18 more than Novak.
Djokovic converted 1 of his 3 break points, while Federer capitalised on 3 of his 10 chances for break.
This was their thirteenth match, Federer now leads 9-4.
The best player in the world is through to his sixth straight US Open final where he will face Juan Martin Del Potro. The Argentine crushed Spaniard Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.
Novak will next play in Beijing (hard, $ 3,337,000). The ATP World Tour 500 tournament starts on October 5.
