Final cut: Federer, Murray will square off today for US Open title

    While many in the tennis world found themselves looking forward to another installment of the rivalry between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland, this time on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, N.Y., Scotsman Andy Murray had different plans.
    After four sets of play against the world's best and the US Open's top seed in Nadal, No. 6 Murray emerged victorious 6-2, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4 to propel himself into his first career major final, where he will take on the second-seeded Federer. The Swiss, who at age 27 remains on the hunt for an elusive 13th Grand Slam, is more than comfortable at the Open, having won the last four titles at Flushing Meadows.
    Murray, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer to the tennis scene. At 21 years old, the Scotsman has climbed the rankings the last couple of years to peak at No. 6 at this year's US Open. Before today he had advanced only once to as far as the quarterfinals at a major event, which occurred at this year's Wimbledon when he lost in straight sets to Nadal. Indeed, the Spaniard had been 3-0 against the Scotsman this year, giving Murray a measure of revenge in yesterday's contest.
    While one shouldn't downplay the undeniable momentum Murray has right now as a young gun in his first Grand Slam final and hunger for a major trophy, Federer will not roll over easily. Having lost in two major finals already this year at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, both to Nadal, a defeat today would make this Federer's first year without picking up a major title since 2002.
    Federer's champion's edge and his will to win in Grand Slam finals, especially when Nadal is not standing on the other side of the net, will prove to be difficult obstacles for Murray to overcome. That said it's important to note that Murray is 2-1 for his career against Federer in past matches, all of which took place on hard court, including a three-set win in the round of 32 at a hard court tournament in Dubai earlier this season.
    It has also been an uncharacteristic off-year for the Swiss, who picked up only two ATP titles this season and is 0-for-3 in his 2008 quest for major title No. 13. Murray on the other hand has three hard court titles to his name this season, including a victory at the ATP Masters Series in Cincinnati, while today's match serves as the first hard court final for Federer this season.
    In the end, though, the US Open is nothing less than Federer's stomping ground; the last player not named Federer to win there was American Andy Roddick in 2003, and the Swiss has since racked up 33 straight match wins at Flushing Meadows to bring him to today's finals. And with Nadal gone, the Swiss will likely be more at ease mentally.
    The Fed Express will also undoubtedly benefit from an extra day's rest: while Federer managed to complete his four set win over No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia Saturday afternoon, Murray and Nadal had to stop play in the middle of their match, which they concluded yesterday with the Scotsman's eventual victory.
    Murray's and Nadal's semifinal match commenced Saturday where Murray raced to a two-set lead after capitalizing on a sluggish start from Nadal. Inclement weather forced a delay to Sunday afternoon, but not before the Spaniard took a 3-2 third-set lead. Nadal went on to win that set but couldn't do more, as Murray outplayed him to win the fourth 6-4.
    Semifinal play on Saturday also saw Federer exact vengeance over Djokovic after the young Serb downed Federer in straight sets last January in the semifinals of 2008's first major event, the Australian Open, which Djokovic would later go on to win. Djokovic also made a run to the US Open finals last year, but Federer bested him there with a three-set win to give the Swiss his 12th major victory.