US Open Tennis 2015 Men's Final: Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer Preview

One of the most prestigious bouts in men's tennis history adds another chapter Sunday afternoon at Arthur Ashe Stadium, as Novak Djokovic faces Roger Federer for the 14th time in a Grand Slam setting for their respective careers.

So much is on the line for the top-seeded Serbian, including a chance to win three out of four majors for the second time in his career—and the eighth time in tennis history. Of course for Federer, he's eyeing the ever-elusive 18th Grand Slam title that has produced a more than three-year wait.

Djokovic has already edged the Swiss challenger once in a Grand Slam final this year, but Federer won't go down without a fight. Here's a breakdown of the matchup.

2015 U.S. Open Men's Final

Matchup: No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 2 Roger Federer

Date: Sunday, September 13

Time (ET): 4 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Djokovic vs. Federer Preview

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

You have to search far and wide across the ATP Tour to find anyone with a winning record against Djokovic, but Federer has held that very advantage for much of their careers. That could change Sunday.

Djokovic trails Federer head to head by a count of 21-20 heading into Sunday's match, but a victory from him would knot up the score. Much more importantly, it would give him Grand Slam title No. 10 and make him a three-time major winner in a season for the second time.

Things have been relatively easy for Djokovic throughout his tournament at Flushing Meadows, only needing an extra set against two Spanish challengers in the middle of the tournament. But Federer has been even better.

The Swiss maestro has failed to drop a set for the whole tournament, sweeping all of his opponents in straight sets and embarking on territory not encountered since 2010 as ESPN Stats & Info noted:

Of course, Federer will have his hands full coming anywhere close to continuing that streak come Sunday. He faces an opponent who has topped him in two crucial Grand Slam finals in the past two years, and it's a foe he's faced five times already just this year in championship matches.

Federer is 2-3 in those matches, but he didn't get the one that counted most—this year's Wimbledon. For him to make things interesting against The Djoker, however, he might have to mix things up.

That will almost certainly include a sneaky attack by Federer, which he's employed on returns over the past several tournaments and utilized to frustrate Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals. Djokovic has seen it before, however, and he plans on being ready for it, as he told New York Times' David Waldstein:

“He tried that in Cincinnati,” Djokovic said. “It worked a couple of times. It’s an exciting shot for him. For the player on the opposite side of the net, not so much. So I have nothing else to say about that.”

Federer will have to become effective with his sneaky attack and then some in order to have a chance in this one. Djokovic is simply too fluid and precise right now in his game to be beaten when the stakes are high.

While Federer may be able to match Djokovic's fluidity if he gets it going, he doesn't have the power capable of putting Djokovic on his back foot and playing passive. That's the only way the Swiss veteran will have a shot at pulling off the upset.