By Mike McIntyre
Andy Murray might be a big fan of American comedian Will Ferrell, but I doubt he enjoyed Roger Federer's version of Old School today in New York. Federer looked every bit the champion of years past today as he thrashed his younger opponent 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to capture his 5th US Open title.
Federer came out of the gates looking determined not to let this opportunity slip away. Just as he did in the semi finals against Novak Djokovic, he rushed out to a quick start by taking the first set in a mere 27 minutes. Perhaps Murray was overwhelmed due to the magnitude of the occasion, or perhaps he was simply not prepared for Roger's level of play. Either way it appeared Federer had picked up exactly where he had left off from his last match. Roger was serving at an impressive 76% and was winning 50% of the points on his return game in the set.
The second set began with Roger taking a quick break of serve and it left me wondering if Murray was going to make anything of the match. Quickly things turned and Murray found himself with two break points at 2-2, 15-40 on Federer's serve. Then in a moment of misfortune for Murray, he failed to challenge a Federer shot that clearly went long and ended up losing the point. The line judge must have been sleeping on this one, as the replay we were shown on TV could not have been more obviously out. Federer managed to win the game to remain on serve, leaving us to wonder what might have been that set had Murray gotten the break. Although one could have argued it was up to Murray to challenge, that is easier said then done. He was no doubt focused on keeping the ball in play, and ultimately the linesperson should have caught such a glaring error.
The second set would be the only one in which Murray brought his game, and still Federer was able to break late to avoid a tie breaker and take it 7-5. While we know now that Murray is capable of overcoming such deficits in Grand Slam play, the odds of it happening against Roger Federer a 12 time slam champion were pretty slim. Federer smelled blood and would go on a tear in the following set.
The Swiss master raced out to a 5-0 lead thanks to two service breaks in a row against Murray. The youngster from Scotland had absolutely nothing going his way, except for a break of Federer's serve once it was already too late, to bring the score to 2-5. Federer then promptly broke right back to take the match and fell to the court in one of his typically awkward yet delightful victory celebrations.
Although Murray had beaten him in their two previous encounters, this tournament is not on the same level as a Cincinnati or Dubai in the mind of Federer. Just as Pete Sampras used to do in New York, Federer was able to raise his game substantially here when it mattered the most. Federer now is the only man to have won both Wimbledon and the US Open five times in a row in his career.
For Murray, this is a learning experience that I'm sure one day he will draw upon to win his first Grand Slam title. He has truly emerged over the summer of 2008 to become a genuine threat to the top guys who he will now join as the 4th ranked player in the world. He has beaten both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal for the first time and also captured his first Masters Series event in Cincinnati. He is helping to make it very exciting at the top of the men's tennis ladder.
Despite a lackluster summer hard court swing, Federer was able to emerge as US Open champion and remind the tennis world that he still has the goods. What a relief this must be for him. Against Djokovic and then Murray, he played dominant tennis against two younger opponents who tried to threaten his return to the winner's circle. He beat them both in convincing fashion.
During the first week of the Open I had wondered how we would remember 2008. The results at Flushing Meadows would determine everything. Through his determined play these past two weeks, Roger Federer has decided that our last Grand Slam memory of the year will be of his hoisting that beautiful silver trophy. While 2008 will undoubtedly be remembered as the year Rafa Nadal took the number one ranking, back to back Slams and an Olympic Gold medal, it will also be viewed as the year Roger Federer struggled, yet also triumphed over adversity and set the stage for what we can only hope will be a riveting year of Grand Slam action in 2009.