U.S. Open Tennis 2010: Novak Djokovic Edges Roger Federer, Proves He's No Djoke

Compared to the blowout in the first semifinal match, this epic clash between No. 3 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Roger Federer was a welcome breath of fresh air. 

Federer, the five time U.S. Open Champion had two match points, but failed to win either one and lost to the lower seeded Djokovic 10 minutes later. 

At that point, 3 hours and 44 minutes after the first serve, Djokovic lifted his arms up in triumph and let out a very clearly enthused scream. He was clearly dwelling in the moment and not thinking ahead to the buzzsaw named Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic started the match off predictably, losing the first set 5-7 to Federer. However he bounced back quickly and dominated the second, reeling off a 6-1 victory in the set. 

The third set was Federer's and saw Djokovic hit himself in the head five times with his racket after losing 5-7 again. Once more, he bounced back and dominated the fourth set 6-2.

Then came the crucial fifth set. Uncharacteristically, Federer was off of his game for the first half of the set, as he was throughout much of the match. But when it came to crunch time he, along with his Serbian opponent, regained their normal tennis prowess. 

When Federer earned the right to two match points, Djokovic turned on the switch that controls his forehand. Literally jumping off the ground to power the ball back across the net, Djokovic ripped tennis ball after tennis ball and crawled his way back into the match. 

He described his play during those two crucial points by saying "I'm closing my eyes and hitting as fast as I can. If it goes out, just another loss to Federer at the U.S. Open."

After he secured the victory with a 7-5 fifth set, the 23 year old said "

It's hard to describe the feeling I have right now. Ten minutes ago I was a point away from losing this match."

Djokovic's Tournament Thus Far

It's hard to believe, but in the first round of the 2010 U.S. Open, Djokovic almost lost to unseeded Victor Troicki. He eventually prevailed in the five set match, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.

In the second round Djokovic didn't drop a set to Philipp Petzschner, winning 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). The next three rounds were straight set wins as well: 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 against James Blake; 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 against Mardy Fish; and 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, 6-2 against Gael Monfils. 

Most recently was this narrow victory over Roger Federer: 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5.

Rafael Nadal awaits Djokovic for the right to hoist the trophy.