OK, so I was wrong (well at least 50%) but why does it feel so right? I know I said that Roger Federer would reach the semi-finals but would lose to Novak Djokovic, and here I am watching the drama unfold while the rain clouds hung overhead.

As soon as Roger came into the stadium, I started pumping my fists. He hadn't even served his first serve before I was screaming into the ears of people in front of me. My kids were very confused, and my son said: "Dad, you wrote earlier that Roger will lose to Djokovic and here is the first serve by Federer and you are already screaming in his favour! What's the deal? We thought you didn't like Roger."

I had to correct them and tell them that I love Roger; I want him to break every record there is, because he's a master. But make no mistake, some time soon someone younger and talented will come along and attempt to break all of Roger's records and I will be cheering that guy to go all the way. I like this cycle of perpetuity; Roger should break Sampras' records and if someone more capable comes along then let the new kid break Roger's records. That's how I like it.

But I digress. I had to explain to my son that despite the fact that I love Federer, I don't like the current Roger - the tentative Roger, the hesitant Roger, the over-anxious Roger, or simply missing the Roger that I and other fans have known for the last few years. I don't like the stubborn way he is playing these days without making necessary changes and adjustments.

And I think he responded to our hopes as he came back a little bit into his own. But he was still not convincing until the third set against Djokovic. He had a fair opportunity to carry the second set to the tie-break but at 30-40 down and knowing that he must get a deuce and then win next two points, he chose to hit a shot that I have seen him over/under hit many a times this year and there it was, 7-5 in favour of Djokovic. I was getting nervous again! Will the REAL Roger please stand up!

But finally he started to get back in the groove. With every game, we started to see Roger "The King" Federer hitting the shots with supreme confidence, and finally he released Djokovic from his misery with a clean forehand. With the final score at 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 Federer had booked his ticket to the final.

More importantly:
  • Federer is now 7-2 against Djokovic;
  • This was his 33rd consecutive victory at the US Open. Can you believe his last defeat was in the 2003 (against David Nalbandian)?
  • If he wins US Open, it will be his fifth consecutive US Open trophy;
  • And he will be the first man to win five consecutive Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon and US Open).
I was almost stunned when I heard the announcer say, during the second set, that because of inclement weather the Rafael Nadal/Andy Murray match would start immediately on the Louis Armstrong court. I was like, "No freakin' way. I came here to watch both the matches, not half of this and half of that."

Since the rest of my family wanted to see Nadal and I definitely wanted to see Murray (he was so gracious the other day when I got his autographs and asked him to pose for a photo: Andy is real cool), we reluctantly made our way to the other match.

Man, was I happy to see Andy play so well. He was calm, not trying too hard but always on the ball. I think in the whole stadium, there were no more than half a dozen Murray supporters and it sounded like it was a Rafa fan convention. Every time, Nadal would get up, go to serve, or make a good return, the whole stadium would hit a high octave.

But Andy made his racket talk. Thank the Lord that he won the first two sets and put a lid on the Rafa fans. More than him, I was relieved.

Murray was a little out of focus at the start of the third set and even though he is only one break down at 2-3, I'm not sure that the overnight break will do him any favours. Now there is a chance that Nadal will gather himself and unleash his missiles on Andy.

As for Nadal, he looked slightly out of sorts right from the start. He was lacklustre and Andy's great play made him look very ordinary (don't get me wrong, even an ordinary stroke from the world No.1 is extraordinary, but something was missing).

There were some extended, powerful, long rallies with both guys hitting some tough, ground-hugging shots, but Andy got the best of many of them. On the other hand, I was worried for Andy, for suddenly he didn't have answers for the Rafa serve, and that to me is dangerous. Andy needs to use the overnight break to get his act together. He can't afford to slip up. It's do-or-die time for him! No third option.

As for me, I'm happy. Not only is Fedex back but I'll get a chance to see the completion of the Nadal/Murray match. In fact, if the rumours are correct, my ticket will enable me to watch Cara Black and Liezel Huber battle it out against Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur in the women's doubles final.

Well, let's just say that I consider my $1000 spent on the tickets, really worth every dime!