Live – Nadal v Murray

Nadal 1-1 Murray *
Tasty start from Murray, who lifts a lob volley over Nadal and then moves in to feather over a drop volley. Nadal responds with four points in a row, the calm after the first semi-final storm at the moment.

2245: Murray to serve….

2239: I don’t know about but I could do with a lie down afer that first semi-final, amazing stuff. A manual refresh will hopefully refresh both r page and my mind. Murray and Nadal are knocking up on Ashe, the Briton in Red and the Spaniard in blue.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: “I know both players, I’m going to sit in my chair and enjoy their match. Hopefully they will play as long as we did. Both are fantastic players and, whoever it is, hopefully we can play an exciting match on Monday.”

2230: So Djokovic is through to his third US Open final, but who will he face in Monday’s showpiece? As if we hadn’t already enjoyed enough drama for one night… Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic is bidding to win the US Open for the first time

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: “That’s my biggest win this year and one of the biggest of my career. Roger was in control but I switched gear and managed to play much better in the last three sets. Last year was a similar situation – he had two match points and I hit a forehand as hard as I could. I took a gamble and it paid off. The crowd was amazing. This is the biggest stadium in our sport. The US Open is a special Grand Slam because of the noise on this court. Thank .”

FIFTH SET:

Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5 Federer
Long from Federer. Net from Djokovic. 15-15. Who blinks first? Roger slices a simple backhand service return into the net. Dreadful miss. Crosscourt forehand from Djokovic… winner! Feds so slow to that. Fist-pumps from the world number one. Two match points… serve to the backhand again…. return sails… LONG! That’s it. Djokovic wins. WHAT. A. MATCH.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-5 Federer
Federer nets a backhand for 15-30 but then comes point of the match… the rally goes on… and on… and on… until Novak puts a forehand on the line, Roger loops it back and the world number one drives a winner. Two break points… inside-out FOREHAND WINNER!!! Djokovic’s support team are going bonkers. He cups his ear to captivated crowd. He’s about to serve for the match.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 5-5 Federer*
The world number one nets a forehand and murmurs sweep around Arthur Ashe Stadium. Federer goes long, though, and then nets a forehand for 40-15. A forehand winner seals the deal. Remember, Federer let slip two match points before losing in five to Novak at this stage last year. Oh and remember Wimbledon? He lost in five to Tsonga – the only time he has ever let slip a two-set lead at a Grand Slam. Just saying…
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 4-5 Federer
Djokovic chucks a tame forehand wide for 30-15. Lobs his baseball cap away in disgust. Huge serve from Federer. Two match points… UNBELIEVABLE forehand winner from Djokovic… crowd going wild… Novak asks them for more noise – more noise?! Second chance… Federer nets! And then blazes a forehand wide… break-back point…. saved with an ace down the ‘T’. But here’s a second break-back point… DOUBLE-FAULT! We’re back on serve. Can’t quite believe what I’ve just seen.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 3-5 Federer*
A beautiful Federer winner precedes a Djokovic forehand into the net. What Djokovic doesn’t want to do here is double-fault. Oops… Three break points. Then comes a forehand long. Federer breaks! Victory is within his grasp! Incredible stuff. Djoko beat the Swiss in five at this stage last year. It’s time for a role reversal.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 3-4 Federer
Ace out wide, service return into the net and Roger finds himself 40-0 to the good. Now Djoko lifts a return beyond the baseline. Applause from wife Mirka. Celebrations from the crowd. “This is when start to see the benefits of serving first in a deciding set,” argues David Felgate on 5 live sports extra.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 3-3 Federer*
An untimely double-fault – Djokovic’s sixth so far – brings Federer to 15-15 but the Swiss master goes long and then Nole comes up with a stupendous crosscourt forehand winner. The sun’s gone in. The heat has dropped. The players look fresh. Feds runs round a forehand to get back to 40-30, only for Djokovic to unleash the tastiest of backhand down the line. On we go…
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 2-3 Federer
Federer restores an element of calm with an assured hold to keep his nose in front. “They’re right at the peak of their powers both of these players,” says David Felgate on 5 live sports extra. “Federer is the marginal favourite, but only because he is serving first.”
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 2-2 Federer*
Federer gives himself a massive chance with a blinding winner but Djokovic responds with one of his own an a clinical overhead for 40-30. A jaw-dropping rally ensues. Federer comes up with several unreal returns but Novak is in position to tap a volley into open court. He goes ballistic, pumping his fists all over the shop. The spectators are on their feet. Djoko’s girlfriend is in tears. This is officially mental.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 1-2 Federer
That was as convincing as anything Federer came up with in the first couple of hours. Roger’s back. “This is utterly engrossing,” says David Law on 5 Live sports extra. Murray and Nadal may like the sight of these two wearing each other out, but they won’t want to face either on this form.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 1-1 Federer*
Some would say sets one to four were underwhelming. They’d probably be right. But they won’t be saying that about set five. This is going to be an absolute epic. can just sense it. Both men are seriously up for it. They’re giving everything. Sport at its very best. Time for Djokovic to pass Federer at the net for a hold to 15. Anything can do…
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 0-1 Federer
It’s like the final round of a boxing fight as both men step out of their corners to an ear-splitting ovation from the crowd. They seem to be siding with Federer and he responds with a magnificent service hold to, secured with a flicked off-forehand pass. “ROGER! ROGER!” chant the fans. The man himself shakes his racquet with a cry of “COME OOOONNN!”. This is the Federer of old.
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FOURTH SET:

BRIT WATCH – Golding and Morgan are 6-0 5-5 on Court Seven while Kyle Edmund is serving at 2-3 in the second set against Jiri Vesely after dropping the opener 6-4.

*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 5-2 Federer
The latest in a series of woeful Federer forehands lets Djokovic scuttle to 15-40 and two set points. Both are saved, the second with an outstanding backhand crosscourt winner. Roger’s first in a long, long time. The crowd show their appreciation – they’re urging the five-time champion to up his game. A much better forehand wrong-foots Djoko before a slow ace out wide (just 76mph!) means Novak will have to serve it out.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 5-1 Federer*
A 97mph forehand winner takes the breath away. Take a bow, Mr Djokovic. Federer’s entire game has gone walkies. He slaps his thigh and punches his strings with anger. Murray-esque. Love hold. “His mind’s already in the fifth set,” reckons David Felgate on 5 live sports extra.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 4-1 Federer
Federer well and truly on the ropes at 15-40. Facing two break points he goes all out attack and initially it pays off. But at the second time of asking, Djokovic matches this Swiss for aggression and intensity. The 16-time Grand Slam champion drills a backhand into the net. Novak lets out a roar of delight. One-way traffic.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 3-1 Federer*
Skipping from his chair to the baseline, Federer’s clearly trying to gee himself up and get some life into those legs. But it makes little difference. A massive serve sets Novak on and he dominates the next two rallies with some scarily-accurate groundstrokes to move 40-0 ahead. A huge ace confirms his superiority.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 2-1 Federer
Federer still moving anything but smoothly, yet a Djokovic lob sails long and backhand wide and a service return into the net. “Come on!” Federer shouts, throwing in a fist-pump for good measure.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 2-0 Federer*
The errors continue to flow from the racquet of a disgruntled-looking Federer. His movement has become worryingly poor. “If I didn’t know better I’d say there’s something up with him,” says David Felgate on 5 live sports extra.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-3 1-0 Federer
Two backhand errors and a poor forehand see Federer slip to 15-40 and that’s two break points for Djokovic. He looks a beaten man on the first of them but manages to scramble across the advantage court and whip over a backhand that Federer can only volley into the net. Novak strikes. Federer looks all at sea. The tables have turned. Anyone for a five-setter?
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BRIT WATCH – Oli Golding leads George Morgan 6-0 3-1 on Court Seven and Kyle Edmund drops the first set against Jiri Vesely 6-4 on Court 11. Places in the boys’ final at stake there.

THIRD SET:

*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 5-3 Federer
Novak’s return game has improved drastically this set. Once such backhand causes Federer to net for 40-30, but the Swiss comes through strongly so Djokovic will have to serve for the set.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 5-2 Federer*
And unreturnable serve confirms Djokovic’s own hold to love. Equally impressive. Federer does actually get to the ball but frames it into the crowd. It’s caught one-handed by a delighted ng lady. High-fives all round. Only in the States.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 4-2 Federer
Hold to love. Sealed with a forehand winner. Utterly ruthless. Don’t write Feds off just yet in this set.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 4-1 Federer*
Clever stuff from the Fed Express to wrong-foot Djokovic for 15-15. But the Swiss nets and Novak then fires a forehand winner down the line to bring up 40-15. He glances up to his support team, shakes his fist and roars with delight. He’s seriously pumped now. The game is his when Federer fails to return a booming forehand.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 3-1 Federer
Federer appears to have this one in the bag at 40-15, only for Djokovic to send over a delicious drop shot from the baseline. It creeps over the net and stops dead. Federer helpless. A poor forehand from the Swiss maestro takes us to deuce but Novak then makes a couple of error to keep this set competitive.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 3-0 Federer*
And that, my friends, is the Djokovic who has dominated men’s tennis this season. Is the world number one from Belgrade back in this match? Only time will tell, but he looks re-energised out there.
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BRIT WATCH – Peter Norfolk loses to David Wagner in the wheelchair quad, Oli Golding leads George Morgan 3-0 in the first boys’ semi and Kyle Edmund trails Jiri Vesely 3-1 in the second.

*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 2-0 Federer
“He’s suddenly hitting through the ball, dominating the rallies and playing with much more aggressive,” says David Felgate on 5 live sports extra as the Serbian forces Federer to frame a forehand into the stands for deuce. The Swiss serves his way to game point on a couple of occasions but can’t finish his dinner. Then comes a gigantic crosscourt forehand return from Djokovic for break point. He can’t take that one but here comes a second break point… Federer misses his first serve… here comes the second… to the backhand… routine return… he goes long. Bad miss. However, he engineers a third break points and this time Federer nets an easy backhand.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 1-0 Federer*
Djokovic has never beaten Federer from two sets behind. He begins his effort to alter that fact with a unruffled hold to love. Much better body language from the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion.
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SECOND SET:

Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 4-5 Federer*
But there’s still enough petrol in the tank for a gritty service hold. Monumental game coming right up…
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 3-5 Federer
Chances of Nole responding immediately look high when another backhand down the line leaves Federer floundering. But the five-time champion is in control of this set and he looks in no mood to let go of it. A confident overhead takes him to 40-30 and then comes a body serve that bewilders Djokovic. The world number one is flustered. He’s bends down and holds his ankles. Frankly, he seems exhausted.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 3-4 Federer*
Dear oh dear oh dear. Just when he looked to have fought his way back into the match, Novak fluffs his lines. A combination of Federer brilliance and Djokovic indecision see the world number three race to 0-40 and three break points. A marathon rally ensues… they’re going toe-to-toe… Roger looking strong… Novak tiring… Novak fires long! Federer on the march.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 3-3 Federer
The first fist-pump we’ve seen from Djokovic for some time as a backhand down the line eludes Federer and takes him to 15-30. Can he push on? Yes he can… two break-back points are just around the corner thanks to a Federer error and when the Swiss fails to control a forehand down at his feet, Novak strikes.
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BRIT WATCH – Peter Norfolk is a game away from defeat by David Wagner in the wheelchair quad singles, while Oli Golding and George Morgan are about to do battle for a place in the boys’ final.

Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 2-3 Federer*
Determined start from Federer on the resumption but Djoko levels us up with an ace and then forces his way to 40-15. The 24-year-old captures the game when a serve out wide is followed by an inside-out forehand on to the oppo line. Good work.
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1940: We’ve got a break in play at the start of game five after a spectator faints in the top tier of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Hot old day.

*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 1-3 Federer
Djokovic must be applauded for the composure he’s showing despite being in an awfully sticky situation. A couple of excellent groudstrokes help him to 30-30 and then deuce thanks to a Federer error. The Swiss gets to game point for the second time by wrong-footing Novak and then scrapes over the line as Djokovic nets a forehand. “It’s just not happening for Djokovic,” says David Felgate on 5 live sports extra. “He’s not being aggressive enough.”
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 1-2 Federer*
“He made it clear from the get-go that he was going to be aggressive,” says David Felgate on 5 live sports extra. “He hasn’t had the timing throughout but that’s starting to come now.” And how… the 16-time Grand Slam champions laces a supreme backhand winner down the line for 15-40 and two break points. This feels like a critical moment… Djokovic digs deep to save both but then finds the net to offer Roger a third break point. This time he looks in no mood to let the chance slip away. A superb inside-out forehand takes Djokovic wide and, as the Serb sprints back into position, Federer wrong-foots him to seal what could prove a pivotal break of serve.
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*Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 1-1 Federer
Love hold. Take that. Federer in the zone.
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Djokovic 6-7 (7-9) 1-0 Federer*
A non-nonsense hold for Djokovic to get the second set up and running. Stern-faced now, the Serb. He’s not a happy chappy after that tie-break. Nole’s record when he wins the first set of a match is brilliant. But he’s lost is on this occasion, so how will he respond?
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STAT ATTACK: Federer finishes the opening set with a first-serve-percentage of 62% to Djokovic’s 59%, winning 75% of points when that delivery landed to his opponent’s 86%. There were 13 unforced errors for Federer, 12 for Djoko, and seven winners for the Swiss – 11 for the Serb.

FIRST SET:

Djokovic 6-6 Federer*
This time it’s Federer who makes the early move, attacking Djokovic from the outset and forcing the top seed to go long. However, few poor returns end his hopes and into a tie-break we go…
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*Djokovic 5-6 Federer
First blood to Djokovic with an inside-out forehand return that proves too good for his esteemed opponent. But at long last we see some rhythm from the Federer forehand and a couple of gems off that time – plus a thumping overhead put-away – help him through.
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Djokovic 5-5 Federer*
A crowd-pleasing exchange to get game 10 under way, Federer bringing Djokovic in and winding up for the pass only to whack a forehand long. Novak goes wide with a woeful forehand but then accelerates away and wraps it up when Roger misses a forehand.
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*Djokovic 4-5 Federer
“Nine games in and I don’t think either player has completely settled,” says David Felgate on 5 live sports extra as Federer seems to lose a bit of concentration at 40-0 but still comes through to 30. He’s working hard to get that forehand singing and dancing, the Swiss.
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Djokovic 4-4 Federer*
Djokovic in cruise control at 40-0 but a rather ambitious drop shot from behind the baseline checks his progress. Only for a moment, though. So far so good for the world number one, who’s aiming to win his third Grand Slam of what has been a dream season.
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Djokovic 2-2 Federer*
After 13 straight points to the server, Djokovic lashes a forehand into the net. Not that it knocks the Serbian top seed out of his stride… a breathtaking double-fisted backhand down the line seals the deal.
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*Djokovic 1-2 Federer
More imperious serving from the Swiss master and Djokovic pulls a forehand into the tramlines to wrap up the third hold to love.
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Djokovic 1-1 Federer*
Novak responds in kind, starting off with an ace straight down the ‘T’ and finishing with a nod in the direction of his support team after Federer drills a single-handed backhand into the net. Touché.
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*Djokovic 0-1 Federer
Two monster forehands take Federer to 40-0 before Djokovic goes long to confirm a love service hold for the Swiss world number three. That’s some way to open a match of such importance.
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1822: Sensational noise inside Ashe for this one. Federer has gone for a colour change from his last match – he’s in red top with matching bandana and dark grey shorts. Novak all in white. Roger to serve first. Here we go…

1820: Federer and Djokovic finally emerge from the locker rooms, stopping for a quick interview before taking to the court. Novak describes Federer as “the ultimate test, the best player ever.” All very nice, but don’t be fooled into thinking Djokovic will be in awe of the 16-time Grand Slam champion out there today. Nole’s the world number one and in the midst of the greatest year of his sporting life. His win-loss record for 2011 stands at 62-2. Amazing, hey? On that front, Nadal is second with 58-10 and Federer third with 47-11.

Murray has reached the last four of every Grand Slam this year

1755: Back comes the rain. Not much fun this, is it? Only light, mind, so hopefully it won’t cause a major delay. Plenty of excitement building ahead of these semi-finals and Britain’s representative, Andy Murray, has just pulled up at the gates. Here’s what he had to say to say on arrival: “It’s great. There’s a different atmosphere here to the other Slams and I’m sure it’ll be packed for a couple of good matches. Over the last three or four years Rafa’s been the best player. I’ve always enjoyed playing him, we’ve had a lot of great matches. Hard courts are those on which my game matches up best to his, so I’ve got a chance but I’ll have to play well.”

1740: So here’s the plan of action. Once the courts are in playable condition, Djokovic and Federer will take to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the opening men’s semi-final. Murray and Nadal were scheduled to follow them not before 1945 BST but that might well be delayed too. The first women’s semi, Stosur against Kerber, is scheduled to start at 2300 BST on Grandstand, with Serena and Wozniacki going head-to-head on Ashe at midnight UK time.

1710: Semi-finals day at the US Open. The best four male tennis players on the planet all in action. Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer followed by Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal. Oh, and the small matter of Serena Williams v Caroline Wozniacki and Sam Stosur v Angelique Kerber. No wonder they call it Super Saturday…