Tennis:Novak Djokovic prevented a dream US Open final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal by beating the Swiss in a thrilling semi-final at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic recovered from two sets to one down and saved two match points in the decider to seal a 5-7 6-1 5-7 6-2 7-5 victory and deny Federer an amazing seventh consecutive final appearance in New York.
The 23-year-old Serb had not reached a Grand Slam final since winning his sole title at the Australian Open in 2008, losing his previous four semi-finals - including two in the last two years here to Federer.
But he will now take on world number one Nadal in today's final after Nadal beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets earlier in the day.
In fact Nadal will have enjoyed Djokovic's victory almost as much as Djokovic himself, the top seed having taken just two hours and 13 minutes to beat Youzhny before sitting back and watching his possible opponents slug it out for three hours and 44 minutes.
The Serb could do with the weather to intervene now and give him some time to recover and when told rain was forecast for Sunday, Djokovic laughed and said: "Really? I don't know the rituals to invite the rain but an extra day would be great actually.
"I am tired, there's no secret about that. For four sets I was quite okay but the fifth set was very intensive mentally and physically and took a lot out of me.
"But in the end it's a remarkable win and I'm sure I will find the strength to give my best on the court. It was just a big pleasure playing in this kind of match, it is one of those you will always remember in your career and I am just so thrilled to be in the final.
"I was just closing my eyes and hitting the forehand as fast as I can on the match points. If it goes in, it goes in, if it goes out it's another loss to Federer in the US Open. I was lucky and it was just a couple of points to decide the winner.
"I am very proud of myself."
Speaking about facing Nadal, who needs to win to complete the career Grand Slam, Djokovic added: "It's definitely going to be a tough one. Rafa is just playing fantastic tennis.
"He's gonna be very motivated to win this title because it's the only title he hasn't won in majors.''
It is not the first time Federer has lost a match this year having held match points, and he said: "They all pretty much feel the same, they feel somewhat empty at the end because you have tried everything and maybe it was luck, maybe it was he played well.
"Maybe you didn't pick the right shot, maybe he did.
"I can't turn back time but he obviously had to come up with a couple of good shots on match point, so I don't feel I have that many regrets in that regard.
"Obviously you feel like you left something out if you lose the match having had match point, but it wasn't the final, so I'm not as disappointed as if it would have been the final.
"That's the only positive news to enjoy anything out of it."