By Toby Prince
Roger Federer reached his first US Open final in six years Friday, where he will face world Number One, Novak Djokovic, in the 42nd round of their heavyweight rivalry.
Five-time champion, Federer, 34, bidding to become the oldest New York champion since 1970, swept past Swiss compatriot, Stan Wawrinka, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.
Djokovic, the 2011 champion, booked a place in the final for the sixth time with a record 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 rout of defending champion, Marin Cilic, in the most one-sided US Open semi-final of the modern era.
Sunday’s clash will be a rematch of July’s Wimbledon final, where Djokovic triumphed to claim his ninth career Grand Slam crown.
Federer, the holder of 17 majors but without a Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012, will take a 21-20 career edge over Djokovic into the championship match, having won their last duel in Cincinnati in August.
The Swiss legend was imperious against Wawrinka and his victory means he has not dropped a set since the Wimbledon final, a perfect stretch of 28 sets, as he reached a seventh US Open final.
Federer is the oldest finalist in a Slam since 35-year-old Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open, which the Swiss star won.
“Novak has had a tremendous year. There’s a lot on the line. He could win his third Slam of the year while I can win my first for some time.
“He’s the best mover on hard courts. He will be tough to beat but I am ready for the challenge,” said Federer, the champion from 2004-2008 and runner-up to Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.
Federer was defeated by Wawrinka in their last clash in the French Open quarter-finals in June, when his compatriot went on to the title.
It was just one of three losses against 16 wins with all three setbacks coming on clay.
Djokovic’s rout of Cilic was the most lopsided semi-final of the Open Era at the tournament, beating Lleyton Hewitt’s 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 2001.
Sunday’s final will be his 16th in the last 21 Grand Slams and 18th overall, tying the record of Pete Sampras.
It took Djokovic just 85 minutes to see off Cilic, whose hopes were undermined by an ankle injury.
The ninth seeded Croatian committed 37 unforced errors and took just 13 points off the Djokovic serve.
It was Djokovic’s 14th win in 14 meetings against Cilic.
“I haven’t been 100 percent with my ankle and Novak exposed it more than any other player,” said Cilic.
