Magical shot studs Federer victory

A point later, with the crowd in hysterics and opponent Novak Djokovic still in shock, the world’s top-ranked player closed out a 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 7-5 victory to move to within one win of his sixth straight US Open title on Sunday.

Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina earlier handed Rafael Nadal his worst loss in a major tournament, beating the Spaniard 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 to reach his first Grand Slam final and a meeting with Federer, who made his 17th in the last 18.

Serbia’s Djokovic fought for more than two and a half hours on a day that grew increasingly windy at Arthur Ashe Stadium, hanging with Federer and even grabbing two break points late in the third set to briefly see a glimmer of hope.Some things, though, there are no answers for, and the winner Federer hit to set up match point was the perfect example. It’s the kind of shot every tennis player has tried, and one the world No 1 actually practices.

“A lot, actually,” he said. “But they never work. That’s why, I guess, it was the greatest shot I ever hit in my life.”

Ahead 5-4 and 30-0 in the third set, Federer sprinted to the net to return a Djokovic drop shot, then Djokovic finessed a lob over Federer’s head that bounced barely inside the baseline.  Federer had nothing to lose, of course, so he ran back and hit the athletic shot, a ball that lots of players, especially at the highest levels, can get back. But few can do what Federer did with his, hit a blazing winner that barely clears the net. Federer jumped and shouted. Djokovic could only stand there and smile. He reached in his pocket to find the ball he’d serve to bring the match to a merciful end, for him, at least.