The final of the 2010 US Open will witness a first time winner as Novak Djokovic ended the hopes of a dream-final at Flushing Meadows by eliminating five time former champion Roger Federer in a nail-biting five set marathon. His opponent Rafael Nadal settled scores with Mikhail Youzhny in the other semifinal with a straight sets win. Apparently, it was Youzhny, who had ended Rafa's run in New York four years ago in the quarterfinals. With the final stage set, we assess the chances both players bring into tomorrow's final in the biggest tennis venue of the world, the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Eight time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is trying to become only the seventh man to achieve a career Grand Slam. The last man to do so was Nadal's arch nemesis Roger Federer about a year ago when he claimed his first (and only) French Open title. Nadal's on court speech after his semifinal win gave a clear indication of how much this title means to the Mighty Mallorcan - ""For me it is a dream. Now I am going to play for the first final in the biggest centre court in the world. I have tried for a lot of years. Thank you. You make me feel like home.""
Nadal is also attempting to become the tenth player ever to win three of the four majors in a single season. Once again, the last man to do so, and not once but three times was Roger Federer in 2004, 2006 and 2007. When stakes are high as this, nerves do get the better of any player. When Nadal enters the final today, he will not only be the favourite to win but will also be carrying a huge set of expectations on his shoulders. Honestly speaking, I haven't come across many players who have the mental toughness of that high a degree as the Spaniard possesses. Nadal finally seems to have silenced all his critics (including me) who thought that his game isn't good enough for the fast paced courts. No matter what the result may be in tomorrow's final, Rafa's 2010 run at the Open will definitely be an answer to all those who doubted the Spaniard's capabilities on the less favourable surface.
R128 def. Teymuraz Gabashvili 7-6(4), 7-6(4), 6-3 R64 def. Denis Istomin 6-2, 7-6(5), 7-5 R32 def. Gilles Simon 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 R16 def. Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 QF def. Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 SF def. Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
In the 2010 edition, Nadal hasn't lost a single set en route to the final and is in awe-inspiring form with wins over in-form players like Fernando Verdasco and Mikhail Youzhny. Nadal had one of the most successful seasons of his career this year when he claimed back-to-back majors at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and completed the European Claycourt sweep with titles in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid. as a result of which, the Spaniard replaced Federer on top of the rankings. All things considered, there couldn't be a more deserving candidate than Rafa in the current scenario for this year's title in New York.
I was never a fan of Novak Djokovic. I am even ready to go to the limits of admittance that during the entire 2010 season, it was Djokovic who frustrated me the most with his erratic play and more-than-called-for lengthy matches, mostly finishing in the opponent's favour. But Djokovic's five set struggles at the Open gave a fine testimonail of his perseverance, mental toughness and the determination to win, at any cost, and instilled in me, a huge amount of respect for his never-say-die attitude and fighting spirit.
After a close shave encounter in the first round against compatriot Viktor Troicki, Djokovic raised the level of his confidence to new heights and secured straight sets wins until the semifinals where he not only came from a two sets deficit but also saved a couple of match points to register win.
Coach Marian Wajda brought major changes in the Serbian star's game with the onset of the 2010 season which was quite evident from the struggle that Djokovic faced, especially in defending his title in Dubai. After finishing the year 2009 ranked second in the world with a Masters series title in Paris (Bercy), Djokovic, and his fans, had high hopes from him which came down tumbling with the Serb's consecutive losses to lower ranked opponents. But ultimately it was Djokovic's ability to sustain the pressure and maintain his patience in adverse situations that got him the place in the final of the US Open for the second time in his career.
R128 def. Viktor Troicki 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 R64 def. Philipp Petzschner 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) R32 def. James Blake 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3 R16 def. Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 QF def. Gael Monfils 7-6(2), 6-1, 6-2 SF def. Roger Federer 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5
Although, Rafa's stellar performance, coupled with the wonderful stats (Nadal leads the head-to-head 14-7 against Djokovic) should be enough for me to pick the Spaniard as the winner in today's final. But there is one significant fact going in Djokovic's favour. The Serbian has beaten Nadal in the pair's last three meetings, all on hard courts in Cincinnati, Paris and London (at the World Tour Finals). Djokovic is definitely a better player of the two on fast paced hardcourts with his win loss record against Nadal on the surface being 10-3. Now, a lot depends on who will emerge the hungrier of the two men at the biggest tennis venue in the world. Where Nadal has shown tremendous confidence in all his previous major finals with a sensational 8-2 win loss record, Djokovic is still awaiting a chance prove he is not a one slam wonder. If the match goes the distance, Nadal will have an upper hand in the match, However, if Djokovic manages to win the first set with a good margin, he might take over the proceedings from the Spaniard.
After a careful analysis of all the pivotal factors in the championship match in New York, it will be safe (if not biased) to predict Nadal as the champion of the fortnight at Flushing Meadows this year.
TennisEarth.com's Pick - Rafael Nadal in four sets for a historic triumph.