Roger Federer: Tennis Great Will Play Spoiler to Novak Djokovic at 2011 US Open

Forget about Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal (for now); Federer vs. Novak Djokovic is the best rivalry going in men's tennis, or at least the best leg going of the "Trivalry" between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

And one to which we will all be treated once again at the 2011 US Open, with Federer invoking his past success against the sweet-swinging Serbian to advance to the final.

Unlike the on-court "feud" between Federer and Nadal (which the Spaniard owns, 17-8), Federer vs. Djokovic is actually close, though it may feel more like detante than actual tension.

Saturday's match will mark the 24th all-time meeting between these two, with Federer owning the edge in the series, 14-9. It will also be the fourth consecutive meeting between Federer and Djokovic in the semifinal round of the US Open.

Federer edged Djokovic in 2008, on the way to his fifth title at Flushing Meadows, and again in 2009 before the Swiss succumbed to the Serb last year.

Djokovic has defeated Federer in three out of their four previous matches in 2011, though Federer can claim victory in their most recent meeting—a win in the semifinals of the 2011 French Open, 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6.

That result snapped Djokovic's 43-match win streak dating back to the 2010 Davis Cup and stood as the lone blemish on his 2011 record until he was forced to retire against Andy Murray at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati.

Djokovic's 62-2 mark on the year is still wildly impressive. Though if anyone is going to send Djokovic to his third loss before the 2011 tennis season comes to a close, it's Federer.

For that to happen, Federer will need to draw upon the stylistic differences between himself and Djokovic that held him so well in his stead in the French Open. From backhands down the line to drop shots to a bit of serve-and-volley interchange, Federer will have to make full use of a wide arsenal to keep Djokovic off balance.

In short, Federer, for his part, must "mix it up" if he's going to oust Djokovic from Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Defensively, Federer must be careful to keep the ball out of back-end, cross-court patterns against a mover like Djokovic. At 30 years of age, Federer has lost a step or two of his agility and was never a particularly overwhelming athlete to begin with.

Federer has the weapons to hit through Djokovic's defenses and must do everything he can to keep his younger, stronger competitor on the ropes.

The additional rest should bode well for the quality of this match, allowing Djokovic to heal up from some minor injuries and Federer to recharge his aging batteries, so to speak.

All told, Djokovic has the clear advantage in this match and should be able to knock Federer out, though victory will be anything but easy. Federer will still own the sentimental edge and have the backing of the attendant crowd.

If Federer can execute his game plan and make full use of the versatility that has made him arguably the greatest male tennis player of all time, then he will sneak away with a win.

Otherwise, pencil Djokovic in for his 63rd win of the year.

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