The five-time champion Roger Federer attended this year’s US Open in New York. As always, the crowd appreciated seeing one of the greatest players of all time and the last defending champion of the season’s last Major. The organizers announced the Swiss legend and reminded them of the 20th anniversary of his first US Open crown, which sounded crazy to the 43-year-old.
Roger competed in New York 19 times between 2000 and 2019, missing it only in 2016 due to a knee injury. The crowd favorite claimed five consecutive titles between 2004 and 2008, writing his name to the tournament history books.
Federer fell in the fourth round for three straight years in New York, missing a chance to become world no. 1 in 2003 after losing to David Nalbandian. Roger turned the tables a year later, heading to the US Open as the world’s best player and conquering his third Major title of the season.
Three tip-10 players stood between the Swiss and the trophy.
He passed the home favorite Andre Agassi in a five-setter in the quarter-final and ousted Tim Henman, advancing to his first title clash in New York.
In what he considers his perfect match, Federer defeated world no. 5 Lleyton Hewitt 6-0, 7-6, 6-0 in an hour and 49 minutes. It remains one of the most bizarre Major finals in terms of the scoreboard, with Federer producing two bagels for the first time in the US Open final since 1884!
He was the only competitor in sets one and three, while Hewitt fought bravely in the second, losing it in the tie break and fading from the court. Roger sealed the deal in style, becoming the first player with three Major titles since Mats Wilander in 1988.
Also, the Swiss was the first player to celebrate in his first four Major finals, with Carlos Alcaraz joining him on the list this season. Hewitt led 8-5 against Federer ahead of this match. However, his wins came in the early stage of their rivalry, with world no.1 notching three straight victories before this dominant display in New York.
Roger Federer’s first US Open title came two decades ago over Lleyton Hewitt.
The Aussie lost the Cincinnati final to Andre Agassi before embracing 16 consecutive wins, reaching the US Open final and seeking the second title in New York within four years.
Lleyton used a favorable draw and moved into the title clash without losing a set. Roger was the favorite, but no one could have predicted two bagels against the fellow top-5 player. Both players struggled to find the first serve, and no one could notice that in Federer’s game.
The Swiss drew the most from his initial shot, taking 78% of the points after landing in the first serve and denying five of six break points, mounting the pressure on the other side. As the result suggests, Hewitt could not follow those numbers, struggling to find the rhythm behind the initial shot and feeling constant pressure.
The 2001 winner played against 13 break points in 12 service games and got broken seven times, six in sets one and three. Roger brought 40 winners from his serve and forehand.
On the other hand, his rival did nothing to harm him or impose his strokes with the well-known counter-attacks, leaving his primary weapons in the locker room.
World no. 1 built a massive advantage in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes. Also, he led the mid-range and most extended rallies, sailing over the top in style after a dominant display. In what no one could have imagined, they completed the opening set in 18 minutes!
Federer grabbed 24 of 29 points in one-way traffic, including the last 12, delivering three breaks and three comfortable holds for a bagel. Strikingly, Roger produced his fourth bagel over Lleyton that year after the Australian Open, Hamburg, and Wimbledon, delivering all on the notable scene!
World no. 1 fired from all cylinders and forged a 6-0 2-0 lead after some 30 minutes, forging the most impressive start in the Major finals in the Open era!
The Swiss had to step behind at some point, spraying 20 errors in this part of the duel and offering his opponent a break chance in game six.
Federer fired three aces, holding and remaining in front. Hewitt erased three break points in the seventh game, staying in touch and having one last chance to prolong the set at 4-5. In the only loose moment of the final, Roger wasted three set points and fell on the fourth break point to bring the rival back to the positive side.
They needed 13 minutes to complete the tenth game, five minutes short of the opening set! The set went into a tie break, and Federer clinched it 7-3, completing this part of the duel in 68 minutes and gathering a massive boost ahead of the third set.
Roger was the only player on the court, wrapping it up in 25 minutes with the second bagel and celebrating his first of five consecutive US Open crowns. “They announced the 20th anniversary of my first US Open triumph, and I was like, oh my god, that sounds terrible,” Roger Federer said.
