Great matchup to end U.S. Open

With two excellent former Grand Slam winners playing, this U.S. Open final could go down as the best ever.

Updated: September 12, 2004, 10:27 AM ET
By Mal Washington | ESPN Insider
It's only fitting that the world's best player -- Roger Federer -- and the summer's best performer -- Lleyton Hewitt -- play off for the year's final Grand Slam. It's difficult to imagine a better matchup than Federer and Hewitt. Federer is playing to become the first player since Mats Wilander in 1988 to win three major championships in the same year. What has impressed me about Federer is that in 2004 he has won eight titles on all surfaces and has yet to lose to a player in the top 10 this year. He has given notice to everyone that he's the best and there's nothing that anyone can do about it. With that said, Federer faces Hewitt, a player he's beaten only five times in 12 meetings, but he has defeated him three times in 2004.

This match will be more about what Federer is able to do than what Hewitt is able to do. Federer has the ability, on a good day, to serve Hewitt off the court. He can overpower Hewitt from the baseline, and he's versatile enough to alter his game to be more aggressive if he chooses.

With Hewitt, you know exactly what you are going to get. He's a consistent baseliner who moves great and can counterpunch better than anyone. He protects his serve very well without getting a lot of free points with the serve, which is unusual in men's tennis. If these two players play at the top of their games, Federer will win the match because he's the best player in the world.


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