US Open Tennis: Recapping the Best from Saturday's Action

Coming into the men's and women's semifinals of the U.S. Open on Saturday, there was one match in particular everyone had their eyes on: Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer.

It's safe to say Djokovic vs. Federer did not disappoint.

Djokovic and Federer turned in a match for the ages on Saturday, a true classic, and while Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray had a four-setter of their own, the day belonged to Djokovic and Federer, two men playing superb tennis going head-to-head like few ever have on the grand stage.

Djokovic Cannot Be Stopped

Saturday's match between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, one of the greatest to ever play, started out with a bang. Federer, who has been on a slide this year by his standards, had lost three times to Djokovic this year heading into the match-up, sparking commotion about his apparent decline at 30 years of age. But he won the first two sets Saturday, and threatened to end such talk of a decline rather quickly.

But Djokovic had different plans. At first he looked lost, overwhelmed by Federer's sudden surge. But he stormed back, winning the next two sets and bringing the match to a fifth and final set. That's when it went from being a great match to a classic.

In the fifth set, with Federer up in games, 5-3, he was closing in on the victory. He was within one single point of winning the match, at 40-15. Djokovic looked like he was falling apart on the surface, clearly annoyed by the crowd's roars for Federer. Then it came. On Federer's ensuing save, Djokovic, out of nowhere, returned a cross-court forehand that nicked the outside line, one of the greatest clutch shots in tennis history. What made it even more remarkable was that he was having trouble with his cross-court forehand in the beginning of the match. From there, he actually grinned as the crowd appeared to turn to his side. From there, he executed one of the greatest comebacks in tennis history, finally winning the fifth set, 7-5, and proving he is indeed having one of the most dominant years ever in the sport, if not the most dominant.

Djokovic won, 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. He is now 63-2 on the year.

Federer undoubtedly must have sunk after that last point (a revealing autobiography on the way?), but he had nothing to be ashamed of on Saturday. He would have beaten anyone on the planet but Djokovic the way he played.

Murray Turns In Another Disappointing Finish

As the world No. 4, Andy Murray should be happy. But he's frustrated, because he knows he's miles away from the top three of men's tennis and every major is the same these days. He advances deep into a tournament and then falls to either Djokovic, Nadal or Federer.

On Saturday, Murray appeared as frustrated as he's ever been. Even when he won points, he lost them just as fast and his slumped shoulders and screams of agony were proof he was the same man he always was, good but not good enough.

After Rafael Nadal won the first two sets, Murray won the third, but he ended it in disappointing fashion, losing the fourth and final set, 6-2.

Nadal won and advanced to meet Djokovic in the final, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.

Stosur Advances to Women's Final

Women's world No. 9 Samantha Stosur defeated 92nd-ranked German Angelique Kerber on Saturday, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.

Stosur, who advanced to the first U.S. Open final of her career and second Grand Slam final, faced a determined Kerber who fought back in the second set with some surprising play. But Stosur was ultimately too much, dominating the early parts of the first and third sets before claiming victory.

Kerber, the Cinderella of the tournament, battled back from a 5-0 deficit in the third set to make it more of a match, but Stosur's experience and improved play appeared to pay off.

Stosur has endured a largely disappointing run in 2011, but her bounceback in Toronto in August has translated to the U.S. Open and she appears back to being her normal self.

Stosur will face No. 28 Serena Williams.