US Open Mens Final Preview: Federer needs serve, aggression v Djokovic

It’s time to focus on the last singles match of the 2015 US Open which, undoubtedly, is the most intriguing one. With the world’s top two players – Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer – who combine for a total of 26 Grand Slam titles, squaring off against each other, firecrackers are expected on Sunday at Flushing Meadows.

Is Slam No. 18 finally round the corner for the Swiss or will Djokovic reach double digits with his 10th major trophy? We make an analysis:

(1) Novak Djokovic v (2) Roger Federer

The pair played each other at the Cincinnati Masters last month, where Federer was victorious

The Head-to-head Record:

Overall: Federer leads 21-20

On hardcourts: Federer leads 16-14

In Slams: Djokovic leads 7-6

Last meeting: Federer def Djokovic 7-6(1), 6-3 at 2015 Cincinnati final

Last Slam meeting: Djokovic def Federer 7-6(1), 6-7(10), 6-4, 6-3 at 2015 Wimbledon final

Last win for Federer over Djokovic in Slams: 2012 Wimbledon semi-finals

Since losing to the top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final two months back, Roger Federer has emerged with a new sense of urgency. The Wimbledon loss did not dim any of his passion for the game, rather it invigorated the man to keep looking for newer goals.

At 34, after 17 years on the professional Tour, Federer has new ambitions – to become the first man in the Open Era to claim six US Open titles. That would see him expand his major title count to an unprecedented 18, something he had been searching for since his last Slam glory at 2012 Wimbledon.

His never-ending endeavour got reflected in the way he demolished the field en route to his seventh Cincinnati title just one week before the US Open. Armed with his ingenious approach where he jumped inside the baseline to make half-volley returns of slower serves, the Swiss maestro regaled everyone without dropping a set throughout the whole tournament.

And that run has continued till the final of the US Open. He is now on a 28-set winning streak and his serve has been broken just twice during this stretch! It is imperative that the Swiss legend continues to keep serving this accurately and remain in his ultra-aggressive mode if he wants to counter the relentless returns from Djokovic.

The Serb is in the midst of a stellar year on the Tour, having laid his hands on two Slam trophies – the Australian Open and Wimbledon, besides four Masters titles. 2015 has had stark resemblances to Djokovic’s thoroughly dominating 2011 season when he grabbed three major trophies and five Masters crowns.

It is thus quite an ominous prospect for anyone to face him and Federer is someone he is very familiar with. The two have crossed swords in five finals this year and Djokovic holds a 3-2 edge.

His incredible defense, flexibility and superior mental fortitude have always been a tough barrier to surmount. Roger himself knows this too well. Djokovic came storming back in the 2010 and 2011 US Open semi-finals, saving multiple match points to obliterate Federer’s dreams. The Wimbledon final defeats for the past two years should also add to the maestro’s sense of caution.

The only way for Roger to keep up the pressure on the top-ranked player is to continue serving immaculately, something that was missing at the SW19 final. Federer should not back off from making his forays into the net. Djokovic will be looking for every opportunity to make Federer play the extra ball and tire him out. To engage in punishing baseline rallies would have devastating consequences; rather the early aggression can throw the Serb off his rhythm before he can even settle down.

For all the clinical display that Djokovic has shown in this tournament, there have been unexpected blips from the World No. 1 as well. The Serb has conceded two sets and felt suffocated on the court to a large extent in his quarter-final with serve-and-volley exponent Feliciano Lopez closing in every time. That should be welcome news for the Swiss who will be aiming for his first trophy at the US Open since 2008.

Another factor that can have any, even if minor, impact – Djokovic’s conversion record in New York finals is a dismal 1-4 so far, having won only in 2011. And that might have a psychological bearing on the outcome of this match.

Prediction: Federer in four sets