World number one Novak Djokovic rallied from two sets down and saved two match points to beat five-time champion Roger Federer 6-7 (7-9), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the US Open final.
The top-seeded Serb, who had also saved two match points en route to a semi-final win over Federer at Flushing Meadows last year, avenged his loss at the hands of the Swiss legend in the French Open semi-finals, a defeat which ended his 43-match winning run.
Despite losing the third and fourth sets, Federer appeared poised for victory after breaking Djokovic in the deciding set - the world number one's untimely double fault giving Federer triple break point which he converted to a 5-3 lead.
But when the Swiss great mustered double match point, Djokovic threw caution to the wind, pouncing on a 174 kph Federer serve and belting the return back for a winner.
"If it comes in, it comes in," Djokovic said of his strategy at that point.
"It's a risk. Last year, I was in a very similar situation. He was two match points up. I was hitting a forehand as hard as I can.
"You're gambling. If it's out, you lose. If it's in, maybe you have a chance. I got lucky today."
Federer was clearly stung to be derailed by a "lucky shot".
"That's why we all watch sports, isn't it? Because we don't know the outcome and everybody has a chance, and until the very moment it can still turn," he said.
"That's what we love about the sport, but it's also very cruel and tough sometimes. It got me today."
Djokovic saved another match point when a Federer forehand clipped the net cord and went out.
Two games later, Djokovic punctuated two long rallies with forehand winners to gain another break and he captured the three hour, 51 minute battle when Federer sent a service return long.
"It was definitely the biggest win of this year, one of the biggest wins of the career under the circumstances," Djokovic said.
"Roger was in control, playing better.
"I switched gears and played much better over three sets."
The defeat in the final major of the year ends Federer's streak of winning at least one grand slam every year since he won the first of his record 16 majors in 2003.
The heartbreaking loss was also only the second time in 184 matches that Federer has been beaten after leading by two sets and the fourth time in his career.
"You have to figure that Novak was going to get his teeth into the match at one stage," Federer said.
"Everything I did today I thought was the right way. He just played really well in the third and the fourth."
Djokovic, who will face either defending champion Rafael Nadal or world number four Andy Murray in Tuesday morning's (AEST) final, has a chance to add a third grand slam title to the Australian Open and Wimbledon trophies he has lifted in a spectacular season that has seen him win 63 of his 65 matches.
The Serbian also had to contend with a capacity, pro-Federer crowd in the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium and at one stage appeared to lose his temper when fans cheered his crucial double fault to go down 5-3 in the final set.
The at times maligned Djokovic taunted the crowd after saving the first Federer match point with his stunning winner and turned to them again for support when he broke Federer for the second time in three games.
But by the end of the fantastic encounter a humble Djokovic seemed to have put the crowd onside with an enthusiastic celebration and post-match victory dance.
ABC/AFP
Tags: tennis, sport, united-states, serbia First posted September 11, 2011 07:33:51
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