By Jim Slater
NEW YORK, Sept 9, 2007 (AFP) -
Roger Federer captured his 12th Grand Slam crown Sunday by winning his fourth US Open in a row, moving three major titles shy of surpassing the all-time record of 14 Slam wins set by Pete Sampras.
The Swiss world number one defeated Serbian Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 after denying the Slam final debutante on five set-point chances in the first set and two more in the second, having been a break down in each set.
“I played well when I had too,” Federer said. “I've played better matches no doubt. A big moment. A lot of pressure for both of us. He made it hard for me in the beginning. All in all, I'm happy with my performance.”Federer, 26, matched Roy Emerson for second on the career Slam title list behind Sampras, surpassing 11-time Slam winners Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver and moving closer to beating Sampras - a goal that more and more occupies his mind.
“I think about it a lot now,” Federer said. “To come so close already at my age is so fantastic and I really hope to break it. Don't know (how many). I hope more than Pete.”Shaking off a case of nerves, Federer took advantage of his record 10th Slam final in a row to improve tobandian - a run that eclipses the old 27-match US Open Open-era record run of Ivan Lendl from 1985 to 1988.
Federer, in his record 188th week in a row atop the rankings, won a record 2.4 million dollars for the triumph thanks to a one million-dollar bonus from his results in US Open tuneup events.
Djokovic, 20, was undone by his mental mistakes on critical points in his first Grand Slam final.
“I had a lot of chances and I didn't use them,” Djokovic said. “He knows how to cope with the pressure. For me this is a new situation. Next time I hope I don't falter.”The Serbian star, who suffered semi-final losses to Rafael Nadal this year at Wimbledon and the French Open, was only 2-of-9 in break-point chances, missing opportunity after opportunity and ultimately unable to stop Federer.
“Roger showed again he is the best. He deserved to win,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic broke Federer for a 6-5 lead in the first set after the Swiss star hit two forehands long, then squandered five set points in the 12th game and double faulted a break to set up the tie-breaker
“At this point you have no hopes,” Federer said. “It shows you always have a chance. I was surprised I got out of that game but it was key that I won the first set.”Djokovic also double faulted on Federer's second set point of the tie-break.
“I could feel he was really getting tense. He wasn't serving as well,” said Federer. “I came through. It's probably because I'm experiecned and confident in my play and take advantage of my chances.”The Serb poured out his frustrations before the second set by dumping the contents of a water bottle in front of his chair.
“That game at 6-5 and 40-0 was really bad for me. I was rushing. I didn't calm down,” Djokovic said. “I was thinking some negative thoughts.”Djokovic raced ahead 4-1 in the second set, was broken at love in the seventh game, but battled back for two set points in the 12th game of set two before Federer fought back into the tie-break, winning its last five points.
“Suddenly I just started making these unforced errors,” the Serb said. “I was quite nervous and felt a lot of pressure. I knew I had to make some shots, which was a mistake. I had to wait for my chances and I didn't.”Not since Pancho Gonzalez in 1949 had someone lost the first two sets but rallied to win the US Open men's final. Djokovic had three break points on Federer in the fifth game of the third set but again failed to capitalize.
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