Some Fine Swiss Craftsmanship

Federer Wins Fifth Straight U.S. Open

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., Sept. 8 -- Roger Federer was hardly a master shot-maker these last two weeks as a series of challengers did their best to derail his march toward a fifth consecutive U.S. Open title.

Errors of judgment, a lapse in form and a lack of confidence had crept into his game. And with each less-than-convincing victory, the distinct possibility hung in the air that the Swiss champion's reign on the hard court of Arthur Ashe Stadium was about to end.

If Federer has indeed fallen from grace, he proved Monday that he's more than capable of picking himself up again, soundly defeating Andy Murray, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2, to hoist the U.S. Open trophy again.

Federer dropped to his knees when the 21-year-old Scot sent one last forehand into the net. The champion rolled on his back and buried his face in his hands, overcome with elation and relief.

When he strode on court for this rare Monday final, forced by Tropical Storm Hanna's drenching rain, Federer was one loss from ending a season without having won one of the sport's four majors for the first time since 2002.

But he strode off having made history and nudged his career achievements, at age 27, one step further from the reach of every player who has tried to knock him from his perch.

With the victory, Federer became the first player to win two major titles (in his case, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open) five consecutive times. He also claimed his 13th major title, leaving him just one title shy of Pete Sampras's record of 14.

"I didn't feel I was under pressure to prove myself, but this definitely feels very sweet," Federer said afterward. "I played great. I felt like I was invincible for a while."

Few predicted the breathtaking efficiency of Federer's rout, particularly given the way Murray played over the two days that it took to oust top-seeded Rafael Nadal.

But Murray, playing in the final of a major for the first time, simply wasn't the player of sustained brilliance that he was against Nadal. He was sluggish on his feet and sloppy with his serve. Worse, he wasn't courageous or creative after letting slip his only real opportunity to win a set, squandering a triple break point against the Swiss star midway through the match.

Instead, he scowled at his racket, gestured toward his sore right knee and hung his head as he trudged along the baseline between points -- points that he contested only sporadically in a doomed third set.

"I'm disappointed right now," Murray said later. "I wish I could have done a few things better and given myself a few more opportunities."