Federer v Murray

Match Date: 8th September 2008

So here we go, the final of the US Open, the world number two and the world number six go head to head for the crown of Flushing Meadows.

This will be Federer's last chance to win a Grand Slam this season, after what only can be described as a troubled year, Federer now has the chance to become the only player since Bill Tilden in the 1920s to win five US Open titles in a row.

He started the tournament still looking rather out of form, but even so reached the fourth round without dropping a set. Enter Igor Andreev from Russia and things got a bit tougher for Federer, but glimpses of the Federer we know came through and after a gruelling five sets, Federer reached the quarter finals where he prevailed against Gilles Müller without much difficulty.

The Semi final against Djokovic brought back more of the old Federer, he looked confident and in control and like a player who is about to take his thirteenth Grand Slam title.

Murray has had a fantastic tournament, his bid to win here almost ended in the third round but he came back from two sets down to beat Jurgen Melzer but since then has impressed with his mental attitude and his strengh and stamina.

His semi final match against world number one Rafael Nadal was quite something, he produced some fantastic tennis, the best he has ever played, he out-muscled Nadal, some of the points Murray won rebounded off the the power of Nadal.

However, Federer is a different animal with a different game which is more subtle so Murray will need to come up with something even more special in the final.

On paper Federer is the obvious choice here, he needs this title, his usual sparkling form seems to have returned and he has the experience of big events.

On the other hand Murray looks a different player, cool and determined, almost like he knows his day has arrived.

It's a difficult one to call but Federer looks like he is back so it has to be Federer all the way

Head to Head Record

Year	Tournament	Round	Surface	Winner	Score
2005	Bangkok	FR	Hard	R.FEDERER	6-3 7-5
2006	Cincinnati	32	Hard	A.MURRAY	5-7 4-6
2008	Dubai	32	Hard	A.MURRAY	7-6(6) 3-6 4-6
2008	U.S. Open	FR	Hard	R.FEDERER	6-2 7-5 6-2
2008	Madrid	SF	Hard	A.MURRAY	6-3 3-6 5-7
2008	Tennis Masters Cup		Hard	A.MURRAY	6-4 6-7(3) 5-7
Andy MURRAY (GBR) Leads Roger FEDERER (SUI) : 4 to 2

Review

The Murray dream finally ended at the hands of Roger Federer who has now won this tournament five years running.

It was a brave attempt by the Scot but Federer was able to turn on the class at crucial moments and ran out the winner in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.