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US Open: Men’s Final Prediction, Djokovic v Federer

By Geoff Nichols

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US Open: Men’s Final Prediction, Djokovic v Federer

The US Open final pits two players in startling form against one another on Sunday night. Whilst the women’s draw brought about one of the most surprising final line ups in tennis history, the match up between first seed Novak Djokovic and second seed Roger Federer seemed somewhat inevitable.

A huge number of storylines are underlying in the final for both men, as we are treated to a repeat of the Wimbledon final earlier this year. For Djokovic, his assault on becoming the Greatest of All Time could get very real if he were to crack to code at Flushing Meadows.

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He has one the title once out of his nine major titles, having also lost in the final four times. If we were to talk in terms of pieces of the puzzle that are currently missing in his quest to be the greatest, finals at New York and Paris are the two that immediately spring to mind.

Djokovic will be aware of his poor record in US Open finals and as mentally strong as he has become down the years, I feel like he is prone to starting very nervously. When he lost to Andy Murray in the 2013 final, he did not look comfortable at all for two sets.

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The weight of expectation doesn’t appear to burden Federer to the same degree, although I would argue it is even great than on Djokovic. This is a man who has won 17 major titles, but has been on a barren run since 2012, That is a streak that will be hard to snap.

On the day these factors may well have a bearing, although big matches tends to come down to who plays the big points better. That is when the chips are down, both players are playing without too much thought and simply playing their game.

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The key for Federer is clearly the serve. He will manufacture chances to break Djokovic, although the Serbian’s serve is itself underrated. However, we have seen in big matches over the last few months that continually holding serve creates pressure in a big way, even against the very best.

I wonder if Djokovic will will through in a SABR of his own if things get tough and he needs a momentum. Obviously it would have to be renamed, perhaps to SAAR  (sneak attack against roger) but I think it could be a tool that Djokovic could well go to if up against it.

I think the world number one will play offensively from the outset as he will know that when he is attacking, Federer can’t as much. The Swiss man has been allowed to do so far too much by opponents this fortnight and I think Djokovic is smart enough to combat that with aggression of his own.

A five setter seems like a popular prediction and I can fully understand why. Both men will have a lot left in the tank after both cruising to the final. However, I think Djokovic is a level above the rest of the field. He has started slowly in US Open finals before, but not tonight.

Prediction: Novak Djokovic in three sets

Please do share your thoughts in the comments below and on Twitter.

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