Tennis fans got exactly what they were hoping for on Super Saturday, when the semifinal showdown between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and the winningest player in tennis history, Roger Federer, went to five sets on Arthur Ashe, with Djokovic coming back from a two-sets-to-love deficit to win 6-7(7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.
After a slow start from Djokovic, Federer took the first two sets by repeatedly attacking the Serbian’s backhand. But just as Djokovic found his groove and an answer for Federer’s strategy, Federer cooled off
and dropped the third and fourth 0sets, shocking the crowd, who was behind the five-time US Open
champion throughout the match. It was in the fifth set when the fans got the battle they were looking for,
with long rallies, angled shots and impressive gamesmanship from both players.
The fifth set began just like the first, with both men holding serve and posting nearly identical stats, until Djokovic began serving in the eighth game. Federer took the first two service points from Djokovic, reading the court perfectly and blasting two winners. Djokovic then double-faulted and followed that mistake with a critical unforced error -- a forehand hit wide -- handing Federer the opportunity to serve for the match.
But Federer couldn't capitalize on the opportunity, and serving at 5-3, allowed Djokovic to break him back,
squandering two match points and putting the set back on serve. Djokovic then went on to hold serve and break Federer one more time, before taking a 6-5 lead and serving for the match.
In what will be his third appearance in the US Open Finals, Djokovic will face the winner of the Rafael Nadal
vs. Andy Murray semifinal match taking place today on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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