Federer gears up for a place in history

Cincinnati: As someone who claims to enjoy the quieter things in life, Roger Federer and the hustle and bustle of New York are unlikely bedfellows.

But when the final grand slam event of the year begins at Flushing Meadows next Monday, the world number one will be hoping to continue his love affair with the city.

He is aiming to emulate John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl by becoming only the third man to win three consecutive US Open titles in the professional era.

Having won his fourth successive Wimbledon crown in July and with just five defeats in 2006, Federer is a hot favourite to increase his grand slam haul to nine titles.

The 25-year-old won the Toronto Masters earlier this month but suffered a surprise defeat to British teenager Andy Murray in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters last week.

That loss ended his run of 55 consecutive wins on North American hard courts but may have given the rest of the men's field a boost. "I would love that the streaks go on and on and on," Federer said.

"But once in a while it's also good you lose. I always draw a positive out of losses. "I'm really excited about the Open now."

Federer experienced the full ferocity of a New York crowd in last year's final when he took on fans' favourite Andre Agassi in a classic encounter.

At one set all, with Agassi leading 4-2 in the third, it looked like Federer was rattled by what was happening on court and in the stands.

But the way he recovered his poise to take the title suggests he can handle anything that will come his way this year. Anything, perhaps, except Rafael Nadal.

The Spaniard has beaten the Swiss in four of their five meetings this season. Although three of those wins were on clay, Nadal also defeated Federer on a hard court in the Dubai final in March.

However, like any other sportsman at the top of his game, it takes something special to throw Federer off course.

"Very rarely, or hardly ever I do beat myself," Federer said last week. "Because I have the variety, I have the option to slice, to spin the ball, to run, to fight, and so forth.

"That's what allows me to win maybe when I'm not - I never have bad days, just little days when I'm not playing so well, not feeling the ball so well."