US Open Tennis 2012: Finals Matches That Fans Are Dreaming of This Summer

All the stars of tennis will be out this summer at Flushing Meadows, N.Y., the site of the 2012 U.S. Open. 

Novak Djokovic and Samantha Stosur will return to defend their individual titles, while the rest of the field will be gunning to earn their own. 

But before the year's final Grand Slam begins, let's take a look at the two Finals matchups that fans could only dream of watching.

After looking at the singles draws and analyzing the top-seeded stars, here are what I believe to be the two ideal Final matches of the 2012 US Open.

Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic

With Rafael Nadal out of this year's U.S. Open, the two biggest names on the men's side will be five-time US Open champion Roger Federer and defending Open title-holder Novak Djokovic. Both men are seeded No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, and are on opposite sides of the draw this summer.

If Fed can get through No. 3-seeded Andy Murray in a potential semifinal clash then he will likely take on the Serbian star in the final on the tournament's last Sunday. Fed edged Djokovic in the two players' most recent meeting at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati earlier this month, and stopped The Djoker in the semifinals at Wimbledon back in July.

Fed and Nole have met five consecutive times at the U.S. Open dating back to 2007, with Djokovic taking the last two in 2010 and 2011. Both wins came in five-set thrillers. With that said, there is no better final matchup on the men's side this summer than No. 1 vs. No. 2. The entertainment and story lines would be at an all-time high with Federer looking for an Open Era record sixth U.S. Open title, and Djokovic looking to repeat. 

Maria Sharapova vs. Serena Williams

Without question, the best possible Final matchup on the women's side is the No. 3-seeded Maria Sharapova vs. the No. 4-seeded Serena Williams. Both female stars are on opposite sides of the draw and could only meet in the Saturday night Final at Flushing Meadows.

Williams is a three-time U.S. Open champion, while Sharapova has won there once, in 2006. The two stars met in the Olympic gold medal match at this summer's London Olympic Games at Wimbledon, with Williams emerging victorious and completing the Golden Slam. 

Although Williams' powerful serve and impressive resume full of Grand Slam championships would make her the favorite in such a Final showdown, Sharapova would have the age advantage as the younger player with less wear on her body.

These two ladies have history in major finals as well, with Sharapova winning the 2004 Wimbledon title over Williams, and Williams edging Sharapova in the 2007 Australian Open. The rubber match could come this summer and Queens, and fans are hoping it does.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more reaction and analysis on the 2012 U.S. Open this summer.