rogerfederer.com - Roger in the final against Agassi

Roger in the final against Agassi

Roger and Andre Agassi set up a dream final to the US Open by winning their semi-finals. Roger scored a ninth straight win over Australia's Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 7-6 (7/0), 4-6, 6-3.

His victory was tougher than the scoreline indicates. Hewitt finally took a set after losing 17 straight, and the match might have turned out differently if the Australian hadn’t blown five set points in the second. It was only the second time Roger dropped a set at the Open, and the three-hour match equaled his longest of the tournament. “This match could have gone either way,” he said. “I’m happy I came through on top because this was a difficult match.”

Andre Agassi, the oldest man in the tournament, posted a five-set victory against compatriot Robby Ginepri, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. The two have met ten times since 1998 with Roger leading 7-3, winning the last seven in a row. “I expect a tough match,” Roger said. “He always makes the opponent run. I’m ready to run, defend myself and play aggressive when I have the chance.”

Playing in his 20th straight US Open, Agassi is seeking a third US Open title after 1994 and 1999. Agassi says: “Most people have weaknesses and most people have only one great shot, but Federer doesn’t have weaknesses and has a few great shots. So that equates to a problem “He’s earned that respect. That means you go out in the match and you address it with urgency and you have to play well. He’s not the first guy to make you feel that way, but he is certainly the guy that is doing it better than anybody now.”