Djokovic clashes Roger Federer and enter into the Final
It was only fitting that for Novak Djokovic to finally dethrone five-time US Open champion Roger Federer, he would have to do it the hard way.
After falling to Federer in the 2007 final and 2008 and 2009 semifinals, Djokovic served at 4-5, 15-40, in the fifth set against the Swiss Saturday. Resigned to Federer's greatness the past three years, Djokovic finally had enough, firing forehand winners to save both match points before rallying for a 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 win.
"It's one of those matches that you will remember for the rest of your life," said Djokovic, "not just because you won against one of the best players that ever played this game, but coming back from match points down and playing good tennis to win in the end. I am very proud of myself."
"I got a little bit nervous at end of the first and third sets, and that's why I lost those sets," said Djokovic. "But everything except that, I played overall a great game, fighting and being aggressive when I had the chance, and defending well. I just knew I had to be patient and not lose my emotions too much, because that was the case in the past where I was losing the momentum with him. He uses that nervousness of the opponent. He feels it."
"I kind of closed my eyes on the forehands on the match points and just went for the shots," said Djokovic. "I was lucky. This is the edge that you always have when you're playing a top player. Two top guys are playing against each other, and there is not much difference, to be honest. I knew before the match that very few points would decide the winner."
"Looking back, I missed a few too many forehands at the very end, but the match wasn't decided on winners only," said Federer, who finished with 18 forehand winners and 35 forehand unforced errors. "You can also see mistakes, and he pushed me to make those. Credit to him."
"He had to come up with a couple of good shots on match point, so I don't feel I have that many regrets in that regard," said Federer. "Obviously, you feel like you left something out there if you lose the match having had match point."
"The fifth set was very intense - mentally and physically - and took a lot out of me," said Djokovic. "But in the end, it's a remarkable win, and I'm sure I will find the strength to give my best tomorrow in the court."
After falling to Federer in the 2007 final and 2008 and 2009 semifinals, Djokovic served at 4-5, 15-40, in the fifth set against the Swiss Saturday. Resigned to Federer's greatness the past three years, Djokovic finally had enough, firing forehand winners to save both match points before rallying for a 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 win.
"It's one of those matches that you will remember for the rest of your life," said Djokovic, "not just because you won against one of the best players that ever played this game, but coming back from match points down and playing good tennis to win in the end. I am very proud of myself."
"I got a little bit nervous at end of the first and third sets, and that's why I lost those sets," said Djokovic. "But everything except that, I played overall a great game, fighting and being aggressive when I had the chance, and defending well. I just knew I had to be patient and not lose my emotions too much, because that was the case in the past where I was losing the momentum with him. He uses that nervousness of the opponent. He feels it."
"I kind of closed my eyes on the forehands on the match points and just went for the shots," said Djokovic. "I was lucky. This is the edge that you always have when you're playing a top player. Two top guys are playing against each other, and there is not much difference, to be honest. I knew before the match that very few points would decide the winner."
"Looking back, I missed a few too many forehands at the very end, but the match wasn't decided on winners only," said Federer, who finished with 18 forehand winners and 35 forehand unforced errors. "You can also see mistakes, and he pushed me to make those. Credit to him."
"He had to come up with a couple of good shots on match point, so I don't feel I have that many regrets in that regard," said Federer. "Obviously, you feel like you left something out there if you lose the match having had match point."
"The fifth set was very intense - mentally and physically - and took a lot out of me," said Djokovic. "But in the end, it's a remarkable win, and I'm sure I will find the strength to give my best tomorrow in the court."
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