Novak Djokovic saved two match points before beating Roger Federer to reach the final of the US Open on Saturday.
World number one saves two match points on his way to US Open final
Novak Djokovic saved two match points before beating Roger Federer to reach the final of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
In an astonishing match, the world number one fought back from two sets down but appeared set for a semi-final exit when Federer broke in the deciding set and served for victory.
However, a stunning forehand return on the third seed's first match point turned the tide and Djokovic then won four games in a row to win 6-7 (7/9) 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5 in three hours and 51 minutes.
The Serb, who beat Federer at the same stage 12 months ago, is now one win away from a third grand slam title of the year while the Swiss's loss means he will finish a season without one for the first time since 2002.
With neither man troubling the other on serve during the first 12 games, a tie-break resulted. Djokovic lost both points on his serve, the second on a double fault, to leave Federer 5-2 ahead and with two serves for the set.
He also sent down a double fault but still brought up three set points.
Stunning
However, Djokovic then upped his game and managed to save all three, the second after a stunning point that saw the pair trading huge groundstrokes before the top seed won it with a forehand.
The following point was much the same and Djokovic also saved a fourth set point, but he could not create a chance for himself and at the fifth time of asking Federer hit a stunning backhand winner down the line.
Although Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have dominated this season, Federer has also been in good form, particularly at the grand slams, with his one-handed backhand looking as good as ever.
The world number three's backhand down the line was proving to be a crucial shot and he used it again to bring up a third break point in the third game of the second set, which he took with a forehand winner.
After the match was briefly held up when a spectator collapsed, Federer let his break slip away in the sixth game. But he responded by breaking again to love, with Djokovic unable to find a way back.
The Serb had found another gear at the start of the third set in Paris and it was the same again in New York, with Djokovic taking risks and gaining his reward with a break in the second game.
Federer tried his best to resist but on the third break point he netted a backhand, and Djokovic produced a solid service game to reduce the deficit.
The opening game of the fourth set was a big one for Federer, who was still hitting stunning winners but also making more errors - it was the latter that cost him as Djokovic secured another break with a brilliant backhand at full stretch.
Federer had lost his way rather at this stage and he dumped a backhand into the net to hand his opponent another break for 4-1.
Pegged back
He did manage to save a first set point for Djokovic to prevent him making it four games in a row, and the top seed was then pegged back from 40-0, losing his first points on serve in the set, but he did not have to wait long.
With the match all square, there was no doubt that Djokovic was now the clear favourite.
However, five-time champion Federer held serve at the start of the deciding set and it soon became clear Djokovic would not be having it all his own way.
In fact, he found himself applauding a stunning Federer winner at the start of the seventh game - and that proved to be a crucial moment.
In short, Djokovic cracked. A netted forehand was followed by a clear double fault and then a wayward forehand to hand Federer the break and leave him serving for the match.
And yet the story was not fully written. A stunning return from Djokovic on his opponent's first match point looked like just a parting shot, but Federer then missed a second chance before serving a double fault on break point.
Djokovic found inspiration and his opponent had no answer as he lost his serve for the second time in a row to leave the Serb serving for the match.
He made no mistake - Djokovic then leading the crowd in a mass dance after hailing the victory - his 62nd in 2011 - the best of his year.
