Four-time defending champion Roger Federer is into the final of the US Open after beating Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-2 in 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The Swiss maestro served 20 aces and hit 51 winners to see off the challenge of the young Serb who served a number of double faults at crucial moments. Federer who awaits the winner of the rain interrupted Rafael Nadal v Andy Murray with the Brit leading 6-2 7-6(5) 2-3, was very happy with his form, particularly his serve as he chases a fifth consective title here at Flushing Meadows.

"I thought I actually served very well throughout the tournament already", Federer said. "Of course Novak is a different calibre of return player, so I always expect more balls to come back from him, especially when I saw how easily he returned Andy. You expect him to return me even more easily, because I don't have the power that Andy has. But I got maybe a little bit more variety. I can sort of hide my serve better, you know, so it's harder for him to read. And that doesn't give him the confidence from the baseline, then."

Federer, who has lost the last two Grand Slam finals to Nadal is hoping to get his revenge against the man who has usurped him as world no.1.

"Look, what we went through at Wimbledon and, you know, in the past, in Paris and all the tough matches we've had over the years, it's just always nice to play against him, even though I have a losing record against him.

I mean, I'd like to play Andy, as well, but obviously he hasn't been as good as Rafa for the past years, you know. But I'm sure he will be, you know, at the top of the game for a very long time, because I always thought Andy has incredible talent. He's a great player.

I won't be surprised if Andy would beat Rafa, but just I think the meaning would be more to play against Rafa here at the Open, you know. But we'll see what happens. Still, it's not over."

Before this tournament began, Djokovic was viewed by many as the man to beat, but as was the case last year, he found the Swiss to be too hot to handle.

"He was playing good; I think he deserved to win, absolutely", Djokovic admitted. "I was just a little disappointed from my side that I wasn't able, physically, I wasn't able enough to give him a challenge. I think I played well that second set, and, you know, was on serve in that third one. Then I was just unlucky to lose that third set and then more or less routine in the fourth for him.

Overall, you know, it's been a very exhausting tournament mentally and physically for me, so I'm happy that I got to the semi."

Andre Jones

Flushing Meadows

New York