Federer vs. Djokovic: Swiss Should Be Favorite to Win 2012 US Open

Roger Federer laughs in the face of Father Time.

Novak Djokovic can attest to that.

The greatest tennis player to ever live just turned 31 years old, but on Sunday, age didn’t stop him from defeating Djoker once again. BBC Sport tweeted:

"

Roger Federer beats Novak Djokovic 6-0 7-6 (9-7) to win the Cincinnati Open - the Swiss player's 76th career title

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 19, 2012"

Federer never slipped out of tennis’ “Big Three”—him, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal—but for the better part of about the last two years, he wasn’t on the same level as his younger rivals.

Every Grand Slam from the 2010 French Open to the 2012 French Open was won by Djokovic and Nadal. Prior to his resurgence in this year's Wimbledon, Federer had advanced to three straight Slam semifinals only to be eliminated. He had fought his way into just one final since he won the 2010 Australian Open.

Now, though, Djoker and Rafa are grabbing their knees wondering what’s gotten into the old man.

Federer knocked out Djokovic in this year’s Wimbledon semis. And after the Serbian left the London Olympics without a medal—comparatively, the Swiss took home silver—Federer proved his previous ousting of Djokovic in the Cincinnati Open Final was no fluke.

With Federer’s recent dominance of Djokovic, along with the fact that Nadal is coming off an injury, there isn’t any doubt who’s the favorite to win the 2012 U.S. Open. Federer has won the event five times and No. 6 would be no surprise.

Federer is officially back.

His diehard fans will claim he never left. However, it was clear that, riding a two-year drought without winning a Grand Slam, he wasn’t the same force that had won 16 titles. Now that No. 17 is under his belt, though, the monkey is off his back.

Expect him to stay on top until his legs give out.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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