History is in the making when Roger Federer and Andy Murray play the final of the US Open.
Federer is attempting to be the first man since Bill Tilden in 1925 to win this title five years in a row. The Swiss is also looking for his 34th straight match win at the Open and the only man who has more than him is Tilden.
The Swiss is chasing even more elite status because a win will make him the only man to win two different majors in five consecutive years – his other one was Wimbledon.
“I like to call Wimbledon my home, a second home because I have had so much success there, but I could equal my five Wimbledons here so this is a vey big moment,” said Federer.
Murray, in his first Grand Slam final, is trying to be the first British player to win a Grand Slam crown since Fred Perry back in 1936. The 21 year old Scot is only the third British player in the Open-era to reach a Grand Slam final, the others being John Lloyd at the Australian Open in 1977 and Greg Rusedski at the US Open in 1997.
“I’m obviously delighted to be in my first Slam final, but like I said at the start of the tournament, I want ton try and win it,” said Murray.
Murray is attempting to become only the third player ton win the boys’ and the men’s title here after Stefan Edberg and Andy Roddick.
Interestingly, when Murray won the junior title in 2004 he was given a ticket ton watch the men’s final, that year Roger Federer won the title for the first time.
If Federer wins he will be back on track in his chase for Pete Sampras’ record of 14 career majors. The Swiss will be a clear second on 13; right now he shares second spot with Aussie legend Roy Emerson.
To the winner goes $US1.5million. Murray already is guaranteed a bonus of $250,000 for being runner-up in the US Open Series, the lead-in events to the Open, but if he wins the title that bonus lifts to $500,000.
Here’s how the players match up:
ROGER ANDY
FEDERER MURRAY
COUNTRY: Switzerland Great Britain
RESIDES Oberwil and Dubai Dunblane
AGE: 27 21
HEIGHT: 1.85m 1.91m
RANKING: 2 6
SEEDING: 2 6
HIGHEST RANKING: 1* 6
PLAYS: Right handed Right handed
CAREER TITLES: 55 6
2008 TITLES: 2 3
CAREER GRAND SLAM TITLES: 12 ---
2008 GRAND SLAM TITLES: --- ---
BEST RESULT AT US OPEN: Winner 2004-07 Final 2008
2008 WIN-LOSS RECORD: 53-12 41-13
CAREER PRIZE MONEY: $41,768,419 $3,121,251
2008 PRIZE MONEY: $3,061,341 $1,327,465
HEAD TO HEAD: 1 2
LAST WIN OVER OPPONENT: Bangkok 05 Dubai 08
* held No.1 spot for record 237 consecutive weeks