Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will meet for the 42nd time in their careers as Djokovic goes for his third slam this season and Federer goes for grand slam title #18, in what would be his first slam title since 2012. It’s a battle between world #1 and world #2 and both are in excellent form in this mouthwatering US Open final clash. Our expert panel of Steen Kirby, Arthur Thompson, and Chris de Waard is on hand to preview and predict the match.
Steen:
Federer’s last US Open Title came with a victory over Djokovic in 2007, and now eight years later at 34 years old, the world #2 is looking to topple the world #1 in the US Open final. Roger hasn’t dropped a set this summer on hard courts, and fired winners in a great victory over Djokovic in Cincy. Djokovic leads the h2h 3-2 this season and they constantly play close and competitive matches with the h2h practically even long term. Djokovic looked great in the semis, but Federer has been vintage and on fire all tournament long. I’m going to go with a well-rested Federer to win this one as long as he stays aggressive and keeps the pressure on Novak, as the Swiss Maestro should achieve yet another remarkable feat that will go a long way to cementing himself as the greatest ATP player of all time.
Prediction: Federer in 4 sets
Arthur:
After 6 long years, a rejuvenated Federer is back in the US Open Final. His opponent in the final will be the world number #1, Novak Djokovic, the man who defeated him 2 months ago in the Wimbledon Final. Djokovic dominated that match in every way possible and he will try to do again. However, Federer is looking way better right now, crushing winners from all over the court, while serving and even returning the serve great. Federer at his best was always a tough task for Djokovic to handle and I expect him to end his 3 year slamless streak in great style.
Prediction: Federer in 3 sets
Chris:
Normally one would talk about both players’ paths to the final and how their displays indicate an increased or decreased chance to win the final, but I don’t think that method would have any relevance in this case. Because, what have we really learned about Djokovic and Federer in this tournament? When the draw came out it already became clear that a miracle would have to happen for Djokovic not to reach the final. His biggest potential threats, Murray and Wawrinka, were both placed in Federer’s half, leaving the world number one with Cilic, Nishikori, Ferrer, Tsonga and Monfils as his most dangerous rivals, while almost all of them were in less than prime physical shape. Cilic was the exception, but he was dominated 13-0 by Djokovic in the head to head and eventually succumbed to injury struggles as well, as admitted by Djokovic himself after his 6-0 6-1 6-2 victory over the defending champion in the semi-final.
Djokovic showed a bit of vulnerability against Bautista Agut and Lopez in the fourth round and quarterfinal, dropping a set against both, but I don’t think you can take anything from that. His matches against Federer stand on their own, as their fierce rivalry has shown time after time. At Wimbledon, Djokovic came into the final having almost lost to Anderson in the fourth round, while Federer put up an absolutely spectacular display against Murray in the final, which will undoubtedly be seen as one of the two best performances of the year, together with Wawrinka’s beatdown of Djokovic in the Roland Garros final. However, in the final Djokovic left no doubt as to whom the best player is over five sets at the moment, leaving one to wonder what Federer has to do in order to overcome his nemesis.
Like I said, I don’t think you can take anything from Federer’s performance so far in this tournament with regards to his chances in the final, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be praised for it. Not only is it the first time since 2010 that he reached the final of a hardcourt Grand Slam, it’s also the first time since Wimbledon 2008 that he reaches the final of a Grand Slam without dropping a set. Only dropping fifteen games total in his quarter- and semi-final is spectacular for the 34-year-old, even if it happened against favorable match-ups in Gasquet and Wawrinka. However, Federer has to forget everything about those matches, because in Djokovic he is facing a completely different player, requiring an equally different mind set and tactical plan.
Federer’s serve will be key, because Djokovic will try to turn up the heat with his rock solid double-handed backhand and superb returning in every single service game, something Federer hasn’t experienced thusfar, having played single-handed backhands in his last two matches and mediocre at best returners throughout the tournament. Federer is in there with a chance, but he has to execute an all-out attacking game plan to absolute perfection. He did exactly that in Cincinnati, but on the slower US Open court and over five sets it remains Djokovic’s match to lose.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4 sets
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