Federer, Murray vie for supremacy in U.S. Open final

Sep 8, 2008 - 12:54 AM FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) - Roger Federer is on the verge of salvaging what has been a disappointing season by his standards.

The second-seeded Swiss standout attempts to claim his 13th Grand Slam title on Monday when he faces No. 6 Andy Murray in the U.S. Open men's championship.

The four-time defending champion of this hardcourt major, Federer has yet to win a Grand Slam this year - the first time since 2002 that he has come to Flushing Meadows in that position.

The 27-year-old did reach the final at the French Open and Wimbledon, but in each instance was denied the title by Rafael Nadal, who also ended Federer's record 237-week reign as the world No. 1 last month.

Federer entered this season having won at least eight titles every year since the start of 2004 and averaged just six losses per season during that stretch.

In contrast, the 55-time champion has just two titles in 2008 and already has suffered a dozen losses.

While many observers are ready to label Federer a player in decline, he will be appearing in his 13th final in the last 14 Grand Slams when he clashes with Murray at 5 p.m. EDT.

Trying to become the first man since Bill Tilden in the 1920s to capture five consecutive U.S. Open titles, Federer muscled his way through the semifinals on Saturday with a 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 victory over No. 3 Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year's championship.

It was his 33rd straight win at this event, which will award $1.5 million to the winner. Federer is now a victory away from moving within one of Pete Sampras' all-time record of 14 major championships.

While playing on the big stage has become old hat to Federer, Murray is through to his first Grand Slam final.

In addition to facing one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, the 21-year-old will be carrying the weight of Great Britain on his shoulders - no player from that country has won a major since Fred Perry captured this event in 1936.

"It's less pressure for (Murray) to be in the finals here than at Wimbledon, there's no doubt," said Federer, referring to the media circus that Murray would have to deal with on home soil.

While Murray will be a decided underdog as he bids for his seventh career title, he does own a 2-1 career mark against Federer, including a win at Dubai earlier this year.

"(Federer) is probably the greatest player ever so getting the chance to play him in a Grand Slam final is an honor," Murray said. "But I've played well against him in the past and hopefully I can again."

Murray also will come in fresh off accomplishing something Federer has failed to do in four tries this year - defeat Nadal.

He upset the top-seeded Spaniard, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4, in the semifinals on Sunday, wrapping up a match that was suspended in the third set a day earlier due to Tropical Storm Hanna.

Murray, guaranteed to become the new world No. 4 on Monday after this breakthrough tournament, had failed to beat Nadal in five previous encounters.

"It will be interesting to see how (Murray) handles (his first Grand Slam final)," Federer said. "But I have a feeling he's a guy who plays well on big occasions. That's why I need to be very, very careful how I play."