Bumeral sport and betting news - Another Grand Slam final for Roger Federer, another straight-sets victory.Novak Djokovic lose final

Roger Federer beat Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets to set up a US Open final against third seed Novak Djokovic.
Federer will go for a fourth straight title at Flushing Meadows on Sunday after his 7-5 6-1 7-5 semi-final win.

Davydenko got an early break but Federer stormed back to take the first set and powered through the second.

The third set was a scrappy affair, with six consecutive breaks, but Federer had the edge in the closing stages and served out to love.

"It was tough and I thought it was quite windy today," said Federer.

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"When I came back in the first set I started to play really well. Then I had some chances early in the third set but after that he started to play much better and made it tough.

"In the end, I am relieved to get through. I am thrilled to be in the final again and have the opportunity again."

Djokovic earlier beat Spain's David Ferrer 6-4 6-4 6-3 in the first semi-final.

Federer went into his match with a 9-0 career record against world number four Davydenko, but it was the Russian who got out of the blocks quicker.

He sometimes plays so well and you are losing points and you're surprised because you don't know how it is possible

Nikolay Davydenko

He broke straight away and had a point for a double break midway through the first set but could not convert, and Federer took advantage.

The Swiss won four straight games but then surprisingly faltered when serving for the set, allowing Davydenko to level, before Federer made amends two games later to take the set.

It was a different story in the second set as Federer dominated from the outset, his forehand looking particularly well grooved as he took it in 33 minutes.

Federer kept up the pressure at the start of the third but could not convert a handful of break points before the match entered a bizarre phase of six consecutive breaks.

Davydenko failed to serve out the set at 5-3 before missing two set points in the following game, and it proved too much leeway to give the world number one.

A couple of breathtaking passes in game 11 earned Federer a break point and Davydenko duly double faulted, allowing the Swiss to serve out for victory.

"Sometimes I try to move him from right and left, and then some points he plays so good," said Davydenko. "I don't understand how he can.

"You know, the guy is running right, left. He's just keeping balls back.

"He sometimes plays so well and you are losing points and you're surprised because you don't know how it is possible."

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 to win a fourth US Open title but it was far from straightforward.

Federer was a break down in each set, saved five set points in the first, two in the second, and three break points in the third.

In fact, even those stats tell only half the story - it would be just as accurate to say that Djokovic failed to take those chances.

He has had a fantastic year and been a breath of fresh air, turning the two-way battle for supremacy between Federer and Rafael Nadal into a three-man competition.

And his engaging personality completely won over New York in just a fortnight - something the tennis authorities will love as they try to sell their sport.

His game is, at the age of 20, already remarkable, with great power off both sides, a formidable serve and plenty of variety.

And he has the heart and passion required to one day win Grand Slams, as seen in his epic win over Radek Stepanek in round two.

But let's face it, when the opportunites presented themselves in his first Grand Slam final, Djokovic was not up to it.

However daunting an opponent Federer must be to see across the net, he was there for the taking on Sunday night.

But nerves got the better of the world number three and what should have been a four or five-set test became a victory in which Federer barely needed to get out of second gear.

Still, Djokovic clearly realises that, as he showed in his news conference after the final.

"I think I was mentally weaker at the important moments, and he was mentally stronger," said the Serb.

A brutally honest assesment and one that stands him in good stead to make amends when the Grand Slams roll around again next year.
Djokovic provided great hype for the tournament snatching Montreal (on Federer's mistakes to be consistent with some press coverage of the US Open final).

It remains to be seen how he will develop. And there is much to develop for this young chest thumping, shirt ripping braggard.

First he has to overcome his overly involved parents. His mother already thinks her son is better than Federer (which parent doesn't think, but to go out and tell press about it?).
Not ony that, she is predicting that he will win the next US Open.

We all know what happens with overzealous parents. Remember Capriati, Dokic, and now Sharapova among others.

On the other hand look at the dignified and well mannered parents of Seles, Sampras, Agassi, Federer and Nadal.

Do you see a connection with long term performance and achieving maximum results.

Then there is the individual psychology, which obviously has a lot to do with upbringing.

Djokovic is barely 20, gets into his first GS final, (but unforunately) against the most dominant #1 in the world. What was his attitude? His talk was as though he was facing a Gasquet or Berdych and that he would definitely win. Ok, he wanted to psyche himself up for a big match. But what happens? Federer was not at his best and gives plenty of chances, but Djokovic is too wound up to stay calm and take some opportunities given to him.

The other thing is handling the media.
He clamors for attention so much and is getting plenty of it thanks also to his impersonation skills (at the expense of irritated Nadal and others). He is glib with hi answers (often answers without understanding the question), and thinks that being slick is cool. The same media will be quick to call him a Dchoker the next time he fails to convert a few break points. The media will denude and expose you if you are only an imposter. What is his true personality?

Only time will tell how this promising, but brash, overly ambitious, and slick young player will evolve. He would do well taking a page from Nadal's life book.