US OPEN
Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Date: 31 August - 14 September
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Roger Federer hit a spectacular 'hotdog' winner to get to match point

Defending champion Roger Federer will face Juan Martin del Potro in Monday's US Open final after the Swiss beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

Federer extended his unbeaten run at Flushing Meadows to 40 matches with a 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5 win.

And the world number one got to match point with a spectacular 'hotdog' through-the-legs shot that he later described as the best of his career.

Argentine Del Potro beat Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-2 6-2 in the first semi-final.

It is the third year running that Federer has beaten Djokovic in New York and the top seed is closing in on a sixth straight US Open title.

He was pushed hard by the Serbian fourth seed in the rain-delayed semi-final but improved his record against Djokovic to 9-4 as he controlled the key moments.

I do practice them a lot actually but they never work. That's why I guess it was the greatest shot I ever hit in my life Federer on his 'hotdog' winner

The pair swapped breaks midway through the opening set before Djokovic saved a break point in the 11th game to hold for a 6-5 lead, despite a poor overrule from umpire Norm Chryst.

Federer then dominated the tie-break, a forehand return and a drop shot helping him win five of the last six points.

Serve dominated the second set until game 12, when Federer had three chances to go two sets up and, after making errors on the first two, the Swiss converted the third thanks to some heavy forehands.

It was a long way back for Djokovic but he was playing well and remained highly competitive in the third set, fending off two break points in game eight as Federer sensed the finish line approaching.

That Federer was able to break in game 12 to seal the win came as no surprise, but the brilliant manner in which he did so took the breath away.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Federer's win

After a nervous Djokovic had slipped to 0-30, Federer chased down a lob and hit a shot between his legs that flew cross-court past the Serbian at the net.

Djokovic could only smile at such an outrageous winner, and Federer followed it up with an unstoppable forehand return on match point to clinch victory.

"I do practice them a lot actually but they never work," Federer said of the 'hotdog' winner afterwards. "That's why I guess it was the greatest shot I ever hit in my life."

Djokovic conceded: "In these moments he comes up with some great shots. That shot. You heard the crowd. What can you say? You say well done. Too good. What can you do?"

Federer will play for a sixth consecutive US Open title on Monday, which would American Bill Tilden's record of the 1920s, and a 16th Grand Slam title that would extend his own all-time record.

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