By Bill Scott Sep 7, 2008, 23:57 GMT
New York - As he plays for history on Monday night aiming to become the first man in the modern era to win five straight titles at the US Open, Roger Federer will be aware of a dangerous interloper in his trophy quest.
Andy Murray announced himself on the world stage in spectacular fashion on Sunday as he stunned Rafael Nadal in four sets played over two days due to the rain which has forced the men's final back by 24 hours.
It is the first time in 21 years that the event has had to stretch to an extra day.
Murray is the third British man to reach a Slam final after Greg Rusedski in 1997 in New York and John Lloyd at the 1977 Australian Open. The last Brit to win a Grand Slam trophy was Fred Perry in 1936 at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Federer had a relaxed training day on a sunny Sunday as Murray finished off Nadal in their semi-final.
Now the Swiss will hope to peg the 21-year-old Scot back if he is to achieve additional Open success as well as climb to within one singles title of the all-time best record of 14 held by Pete Sampras.
Murray will not be taken lightly by Federer, who has lost two of three matches against the Scot.
'I'm sure he will be at the top of the game for a very long time, I always thought Andy has incredible talent. He's a great player,' Federer said of the youngster who will rise to fourth in the world next week.
But Federer has his own big-picture agenda. 'I've been struggling on hardcourt, I have no problems admitting that.
'Here it hasn't been a struggle because I played well on clay and on grass, so maybe that's why I'm more emotional.
'I'm trying more and more to push myself forward and playing well here at the Open, because that's what it's all about right now.'
Victory would mean a season saved for the 27-year-old whose immaculate level has dropped a notch in 2008, losing finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon to raging bull Nadal and earning only two minor titles.
Federer, who has not lost at Flushing Meadows since 2003, is not quite ready to call the New York tournament his favourite.
'I like to call Wimbledon my home, a second home.
'I've had so much success over there. But I could equal my five Wimbledons here tomorrow, so this is a big moment also.'
Murray knows what he is up against: 'He's gonna feel confident as he has loads of experience and this is something completely new for me.
'I have to play great to have any chance at winning, but I've been playing well for the past couple of weeks.'
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