U.S. Open 2010: Federer-Nadal Final Looms, Fanatics Ready To Fill Message Boards

Well, it's looking more and more likely heading into the U.S. Open's final weekend that we're going to see a Federer vs. Nadal tennis final for the first time at Flushing Meadows. 

Federer is playing splendidly, defeating French Open nemesis Robin Soderling handily, taking him out of his game, and sending him packing in straight sets despite the swirling winds at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Only Novak Djokovic stands between him and a seventh straight final here.

Rafael Nadal faces opponents whom he has beaten regularly to get to the final as well.

He enters his match with Verdasco tonight having not lost a set or a service game all tournament, and blasting 135mph rockets on his serve at hapless opponents.

Two great competitors who have great respect for each other. While it is a battle on-court, they recognize the greatness in each other. While Nadal has a lot of ground to cover to catch up to the great Federer, between them, they have won 20 of the last 22 Grand Slam tournaments contested.

Such dominance is unprecedented.

While Federer's accomplishments right now dwarf Nadal's, there is no doubt that they have separated themselves greatly from the rest of the field.

Assuming they both reach the final, regardless of who wins, their opponent will be gracious and pour accolades on the other. 

However, somewhere a few levels below the accolades, in the subterranean climes devoid of light, swirls an undercurrent of rancid slime. Here the uber-fanatics dwell, the mudslinging hordes brewing up a cauldron of toxic stew to pour upon their counterparts.

You know of whom I speak—the rabid fans of Federer and Nadal, misshapen from years of exposure to only their own viewpoints and fanatic rants.

Each camp readies the attack, breathless, waiting the result of the U.S. Open final to release their bombardment on the Internet message boards. For those unaware of their wiles and stock-in-trade, here is the calculus and their Weapons of Mass Deception:

If Federer wins their match, then Nadal's fans will say Rafa was injured and it was a cheap win. His knees/stomach prevented him from playing in top form. They will say that Federer is arrogant and condescending.

Federer's fans will say that it proves again that Federer is God, and Nadal is scum. They will trot out his crowns and records and say, "I'm the winner, and you're not. Nyah, nyah nyah."

If Nadal wins, his fans will start shoveling dirt on Roger and write his obituary all over again. They will say Nadal is the true GOAT and Federer is a has-been. They'll say it's instant karma for Roger's arrogant remarks against Rafa.

Federer's fans will say that Roger was seen holding his back or that some illness struck him and therefore the win isn't legit. They will say that Nadal is classless the way he stalls and tugs at his pants and takes long timeouts, and that it was a cheat because they saw Toni Nadal coaching Rafa from the stands.

All of these comments and more will come out in the wake of the end of the US Open. It cheapens and lowers the discussion.

Personally, I can remember my Federer Moment, when I first knew I was witnessing greatness.

I was watching him against Lleyton Hewitt, who was in peak form at the time. Considered one of the fastest men on tour, and with a great return of serve and never-say-die attitude, I thought he would give Federer a tough match.

I watched Federer hit a stroke early on that wrong-footed Hewitt. I saw the calm expression on Roger's face, the arm extended, and time seemed to slow down as a missile left Federer's racquet for a winner, as Lleyton was left sprawled on the court watching it go by.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and watched as Federer hit shot after perfect shot with the calmness of a Zen Master. I thought to myself, "Who can compete with that?" It's perfection. That was my Federer Moment and I've enjoyed greatly seeing him do that year after year.

Similarly, I also had a Nadal Moment when I saw Nadal, in his maiden tournament at Roland Garros, get pulled off the court by a crosscourt shot.

I watched him run 20 yards off the side of the court, slide several feet, stop on a dime, and whip a forehand that bended like Beckham around the pole, spun just a couple feet outside his opponent's reach, and dropped down an inch inside the corner of the court for an impossible winner.

No one had ever hit such a shot. As I watched, he converted shots like that one after another like it was nothing for him, and I thought to myself, "That is on another level."

I've had the pleasure of watching both of these masters hit shots and do things I've never seen before on a tennis court, and I wish it could never end.

So, whatever happens, ignore the minions of the underworld and the fringe fanatics, and enjoy the wonder of seeing two of the greatest to ever play the game, at the peak of their powers, on one of the biggest stages in tennis.

No matter who wins, it doesn't get much better than this.