[The King]

First up is Santiago Giraldo from Columbia. Roddick destroyed this risky hitter at Winston Salem recently. Federer should not worry in this prelude unless Giraldo has one of those days where he cannot miss. This doesn’t look likely. Giraldo has only ventured past the first round of a slam twice in five years. Federer should take care of him pretty quickly. Federer in three.

Second Round

Brazils Thomaz Bellucci is likely next. Certainly not an easy opponent Bellucci is ranked in the thirties, so just outside seeding. Still, the fast hard courts of New York should be too much of an obstacle for this clay court specialist. Federer in a legato three.

Third Round
Bernard Tomic is the sort of guy who can make you play badly. The slice serve, the flicky flat backhand, the constant change of pace. Ask Novak Djokovic who looked discordant in much of their Wimbledon quarterfinal. This Australian likes the big stage, but should get no more than a set on this day. Place your bet on him for next year. Federer in a harmonious four.
Fourth Round
Everybody says this match will be Victor Troicki or Radek Stepanek. Still, you can never bet against nostalgia. This means a meeting with former world number two, Tommy Haas. Yes, he is old and he is on another comeback but that is just the perfect setting for an elegy. We think back to the 2009 French when Federer came back from two sets down. Can Tommy win this one? Nope, Federer takes it in four.
Quarters
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga or Mardy Fish. Hmmm. Although the showman Tsonga likes the big crowds, the pick goes to Fish. His recent form has been superlative and would offer a great match-up with the Swiss maestro. Oh yes, he is American so he gets the home court advantage and goes two sets to one up. The crowd roars the choir sings but this is Federer’s concerto.
The pick? Federer in five.
Semi-final
Could it be anyone but Novak Djokovic? In a repeat of their French semi-final Federer will once again do the business. It won’t be the opera people expect. The pressure of three slams in one year will get to the Serbian number one and he will falter. Surprisingly this match does not go the distance. Federer in four.
Finale
The perfect encore. Federer versus Nadal. A showdown that will once again take centre stage setting up for another classic. Nadal will go into this match confident after a battle with Murray. Federer will be fresh after Djokovic. Still an epic slogging fest ensues. Back and forth till the end, Tempo Allegro, some feel this will be Federer’s requiem. One break of serve, the fat lady sings and Federer captures his seventeenth slam in five gruelling sets

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