Down two sets, Djokovic tops Federer

Hundreds of splendid shots and almost four hours of grand theater suddenly became the mere backdrop for one blinding forehand return smote by Novak Djokovic Saturday, just at the moment Roger Federer apparently had put their U.S. Open semifinal match in his pocket.

Federer was serving at 5-3, 40-15 in the fifth set, with a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium throbbing with appreciative noise for their long and feisty duel, when Djokovic produced the most dramatic in a series of powerhouse switchback plays.

"It's a risk,'' Djokovic said. "You're gambling. If it's out, you lost. If it's in, maybe you have a chance.''

It was in, angled hard cross-court and smack on the line, yanking the 24,071 spectators out of their seats for what felt, at the time, like a heartfelt tribute to Djokovic's final valiant effort before he surely would lose. He raised his arms to the crowd with something like mock triumph.

He still faced another match point at 40-30. But, as Federer said, "He slaps one shot, and the whole thing changes. It's strange how it goes.''

Djokovic fought off Federer's subsequent serve and Federer's follow-up forehand clipped the net cord and jumped wide, and within a few dizzying minutes -- which included a Federer double fault on game point -- it was Djokovic serving for the match and at last locking down a 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 victory. Federer ends the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2002.

The two were facing off against each other for the fifth consecutive time in the same Grand Slam tournament -- a record in the open era -- and for the fourth straight U.S. semifinal. Federer, five times the Open champ, brought his career record of 16 major titles into the match, while Djokovic was enjoying one of the most remarkable years in tennis history, already with two major titles and wins in 62 of his previous 64 matches.

This battle began with short points and each man in full control of his service game -- there wasn't a break point until the third game of the second set -- then unspooled into intensifying rallies and a tilt of momentum from Federer to Djokovic.

That woke up echoes of Federer's first-ever loss after having won the first two sets -- to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at this year's Wimbledon -- and of Federer's loss to Djokovic here last year, when Federer also failed to convert two match points and lost in five sets.

Still, Federer began to take back control at the start of the fifth, and after each man conjured several winning doozies and stayed on serve to the eighth game, Djokovic cracked a bit, committing a double fault and sending a forehand long to give Federer a crucial break to 5-3.

After a backhand error, Federer drilled an ace and two service winners and got to 40-15 and that pivotal match point.

"I had to take my chances,'' Djokovic said. "I was very close to being on my way back home. I cannot explain to you because I don't know how it happened. I read his serve and I was on the ball and I had to hit it hard and it got in.''

What happened, Federer said, "was the obvious, really. He came back. He played really well.

"Look, it happens sometimes. That's why we all watch sports, isn't it? Because we don't know the outcome and everybody has a chance, and until the very moment, it can still turn. That's what we love about the sport, but it's also very cruel and tough sometime.''

And quite a show.