Sports commentary on major events from the timesonline.co.uk
So Roger Federer is still pretty good then. He didn't just beat Andy Murray in last night's US Open final - he demolished him. And it wasn't Murray's fault.
The Scot conceded that he "came up against the best player to play the game today" after his 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 defeat at Flushing Meadows, and who could argue?
This win takes Federer's haul of grand-slam titles to 13, just one behind the legendary Pete Sampras. The Swiss star is only 27 so time is on his side. Indeed, Federer sent out a warning to the rest of the world afterwards, when he claimed: "I'm not going to stop at 13 am I, that would be terrible."
His emphatic performance more than the result rammed the snipers' words back down their throats. Many had written off Federer before the start of the tournament as he had endured - by his standards - a poor season. (Although, winning twice in 2008 before appearing at Flushing Meadows would not be viewed as shabby by most other players).
Rafael Nadal has wrenched the world No 1 ranking from him, having beaten Federer in the Wimbledon and French Open finals as well as claiming Olympic gold, and Federer has had more than his fair share of early-round exits during the ATP tour.
But as the US Open progressed into the second week, we began to see flashes of the Federer who has dominated the men's game for the best part of five years, culminating in last night's wonder-show.
Now the question is: is he back? Can he maintain this level or did he just have the extra incentive to prove his critics wrong? Will Federer go on to overtake Sampras's grand-slam record or have we really seen the changing of the guard with Nadal now the main man?
Have your say in the comment box below.
Andy Murray has become a hero overnight. The trouble is, so far it's only in America.
The British No 1's stunning victory over Rafael Nadal, which has earned him a place in tonight’s US Open final against Roger Federer, is being hailed across the pond by fans, celebrities and his peers.
But for some reason, many over here still fail to be stirred by the Scotsman, thinking of his surly appearance before his superb groundstrokes and his body language before his clear determination to win.
But why the apathy? Is it because Britain loves a plucky loser? Surely it can't still be for the joke he cracked about England's football team, hoping they would get beaten in the World Cup because he is Scottish?
Maybe this is an English thing, not British, and the proud son of Scotland is rightly lauded in his home nation. It could be that he is so focused on winning tennis matches that he doesn’t care too much for PR and how he is perceived. Should we be more understanding and proud?
A quick look at the facts tells us that Murray deserves worldwide admiration. He won the junior US Open in 2004, reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon this year, has a favourable head-to-head record against Federer (Murray leads 2-1 from the matches they have played) ... and he is still only 21.
Perhaps Murray is simply unlucky to be a part of a generation that has spawned some exceptional young players at the same time: Nadal is 22 and Novak Djokovic 21. It should be remembered that Federer, thought of by many as the greatest player of all time, had only reached the quarter-finals of a grand-slam tournament at the same stage of his career as Murray is at now.
So what will it take for Murray to be taken the bosom of the British fans? Must he win the US Open tonight? Will a Wimbledon crown do it?
Or does he have to take Federer to five sets before losing heroically, only to offer a few jokes in the post-match press conference?
Can you learn to love Murray? Have your say below.
He clinched the game by chasing down a Nadal drop shot and passing the Spaniard with a backhand pass. "I can't even see Roger Federer beating Murray," says a gushing Greg Rusedski, the last Brit to reach the US Open final. The Scot faces Federer in tomorrow's final. He beat Nadal 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.
Now the crowd on their feet. Murray wins one of a rally comprising of the most fearsomely hit shots you could ever see. At the end of it, even the impossibly energetic Nadal is left gasping for breath.
Murray is one point from the final.
We'll have that. Murray takes a lucky lead when his backhand strikes the net chord and drops limply on the opposite side of the court. But Nadal wins the next and goes ahead when Murray lands a backhand between the tramlines. Another net chord-hit, however, goes Murray's way to put the scores level again.
To the crowd's delight - doubtless they want a fifth set - Nadal produces a service winner to set up game point. After a rally punctuated by increasingly voluble gasps from the crowd, Murray cancels it out.
Deuce.
Nadal wins the first point of the game on Murray's serve but the Scot wins two on the spin and the third with a clinical volley at the net to set up two game points. His 21st ace wins Murray the game.
Murray draws level at 30-30 with two formidably heavy backhands and then takes the lead when Nadal hits a forehand wide after another compelling rally. The Scot cannot convert the break point - he lost 15 in a row before winning his last one - sending a sliced backhand long. Nadal then sets up advantage to him and wins the game when Murray sends wasteful two-handed backhand well wide of the far tramline.
Murray secures a quick 40-lead and then produces the shot of the day. Forced to improvise after a shortish second serve, Murray hits a drop shot to the corner that Nadal chases down easily, only to see the Scot direct a instinctive volley into the open court. The shot has Judy Murray on her feet.
Murray wastes a good opportunity by hitting a shoulder-height backhand into the net - the balls are bouncing higher than they did yesterday - and loses the next two slip 30-0 behind.
His lead cut to 15-30, Nadal than nearly succeeds with an audacious lob hit on the run, but the ball falls long to level the scores. An unforced error from Murray gives Nadal the lead but the Scot gets to deuce after matching Nadal shot for shot in a fearsome baseline rally. Then, Nadal nets an easy forehand.
Advantage Murray.
Nadal takes a quick 30-0 lead with two formidable shots but Murray draws back level when the Spaniard is deceieved by a low bounce at the baseline. Nadal then hits a backhand into the tramlines to set up a game point before failing to get to a serve down the centre of the court. Game to Murray.
Murray goes 0-15 against the serve after correctly challenging a call that Nadal's first serve was good. Nadal then nets weakly, only for Murray to hit a backhand wide. Odd, three unforced errors.
Serving at 15-30, Nadal goes level by backing up a strong serve well and then takes the lead with an ace - he is serving extremely well. Murray then loses the game with a forehand sent into the net from the centre of the court, a mistake that has the Scot turning to the floor admonishing himself.
Almost from nowhere, Nadal wins three consecutive points against the serve and then breaks when Murray hits a forehand into the open court wide. That, unfortunately, could be significant.
Finally Nadal wins two consecutive points. An epic game.
No! A sixth break point down, Nadal fluffs his first serve but wins on his second when Murray hits his forehand long. Murray takes the lead again with a forehand but is pegged back by an ace.
Nadal then creates his first game point with a service winner, only for Murray to restore parity despite a superb hard and deep first serve. Murray slips behind again but once again draws back level, this time with a superb two-handed backhanded return. The Briton looks comfortably the equal of the world No 1.
Deuce, yet again.
When will this game end? Murray sets up yet another break point by opening up the court with a backhand and beating Nadal with a pass. The Spaniard cancels it out, only for Murray to edge ahead again with a top-spin forehand that he executes standing on one leg. But, yes, Nadal wins the next too.
Again, deuce.
Brilliant shot from Murray. From an upright position on the baseline, he hits a backhand right into the opposite corner to go ahead 0-15. Nadal then twice errs - is the pressure telling on the Spaniard? - to give the Scot two rare break points. Shame that Nadal produces two superb first serves to reach deuce.
Forced to stand up to a swerving, deep volley, Murray, however, than sets up another break point when Nadal misses a backhand at the net. This time Murray makes the mistake, netting to make it deuce.
That's how to play the big points. Murray gives his second serve top spin so heavy that Nadal skies it wide of the court, prompting him to change rackets. Murray then punches the air in satisfaction after a forehand winner wins him the game. That Nadal has the crowd's support is not troubling the Scot at all.
Nadal takes a quick 30-0 lead, but Murray replies impressively with a service and a bullet forehand to the corner of Nadal's court, making it 30-all. Murray then double faults to give Nadal a break point, but again responds nervelessly, firing an ace across Nadal's body. Deuce.
Nadal gains advantage by opening up the court and whipping a forehand down the line. He then takes the set with another a similarly vicious winner. But let's not be too downhearted, Murray promisingly pushed Nadal close in that game.
Finally, a point is won against the serve when Murray attacks a Nadal second serve and sends his backhand beyond Nadal's reach to make it 15-all. Frustratingly for everybody in this office, the Scot then attempts his signature drop shot from deep in the court and nets. The players then win a baseline rally each to put Nadal one point from winning the set. With a superb counterattack, however, Murray reaches deuce, firing a forehand into Nadal's body as he approaches the net. Murray then wins the next with a deep, top-spin forehand. Break point, readers...
Yet another flawless service game, this from Murray. Most impressive are his two concluding two points. He wins the first with a whipped forehand that backs up a second serve sent nervelessly deep and the second with a half-volley superbly controlled off his toes on the baseline.
Nadal moves to 40-0 after a compelling rally in which a Murray forehand draws gasps of admiration from the crowd before being returned excellently by Nadal. He approaches the net and wins the point with a smash that Murray very nearly returns with a instinctive backhand. The Spaniard wins the next to move within a game of the set.
Murray wins his first service game after the restart to love and as convincinly as Nadal did his, following a deep forehand with a forehand winner to move to 40-0 and finishing the game with a backhand slice sent wide and short of the Spaniard.
Nadal wins the first point with a backhand winner down the line after a baseline rally and the second after Murray backhands a high-bouncing serve into the net. The Spaniard moves to 40-0 on his second serve when Murray nets again, approaching the net. Then, with a brilliant whipped cross-court forehand from Nadal, the game is done. He could hardly have restarted with a more impressive game.
The Arthur Ashe Court looks about three-quarters full, a surprising large turnout perhaps given that the crowd will get to watch two and a half sets at most. They seem excited, though, shouting and applauding both players on to court, with Nadal getting receiving probably the loudest reception.
Nadal to serve.
The players are warming up beneath a clear sky at Flushing Meadows. Play should resume shortly.
 Andy Murray will resume his US Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal at 4pm local time in New York, with the Scot leading the world No 1 by two sets to love and within sight of one of the best victories by a Briton ever. Join us then for rolling commentary on what promises to be a thrilling conclusion.
Rafael Nadal vs Andrew Murray at the US Open: unfortunately the match has been suspended due to heavy rain, with Murray leading by two sets.
It is due to resume tomorrow (Sunday, September 7) at 2100hrs BST.
Rain break - who does this favour more?
Murray claws a game back on his service, but this set is already starting to look like Nadal's.
Fourth game and Murray hits the ball wide after Rafa's serve, but at least is starting to look a bit more like he's prepared to fight for points again. Then it goes to 15 15. Murray hits another couple of balls wide and Rafa leaps to 40, before finding the lowest point of net with the next. 40 30, Nadal. Murray hits the final ball too long again and it's another game for Nadal.
Murray starts the next game with a double fault, perhaps distracted by a huge jet flying overhead. Rafa returns the next and Murray finds the net. Another point for Murray as Rafa struggles to return a second serve, and then another as Rafa sprints so fast across the court that he barely has time to stop before hitting the stands. Murray clinches the game with a powerful serve.
Can Murray finish the match off in three sets? It seems unlikely. An angry looking Nadal wins the first game of the third set - Murray serving - with consumate ease. Stats just in - Murray has 10 aces to his credit, compared with 3 for Rafa, but, perhaps unsurprisingly, many more unforced errors...
Nadal takes the second game after Murray's attempt to drop the ball just behind the net backfires and Rafa races forward to send it flying past the Scot. Two games to none for the Spaniard.
Second set tie-break: one all, then another Murray ace gives him the lead. It looks like Rafa's got the next one sown up but somehow Murray leaps across the court to hit an easy one down the line. 3 1 to Murray. Rafa takes another point. Murray gets his first double fault of the day and the tie-break is, er, tied. Another fault but the next serve is fine and Murray gets the point. Fault for Rafa this time - the pressure is getting to them. Murray hits the ball too long and it's four all. Murray finds the net and Nadal moves in front for the first time. Rafa is unlucky as the ball zings off the top of the net and back towards him - 6 5 to Murray after the net intervenes again. Murray's done it - Rafa hits the ball out, Andy wins the tie-break and it's two sets to none in the Scot's favour. But blimey - he doesn't like to make it easy for himself!
News just in - Roger Federer beat Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-2
Murray to serve: ace with the first ball. Then he hits a return from Rafa far too long. And again, to give Nadal a chance to pounce and turn the set around. But his serve continues to startle and he takes the game to 40 30. Another great serve beats Nadal and gives Murray the game. Will the set go to the tie-break?
Silky skills from Murray as he trips the ball over the net then, on its return, lobs over Nadal. Nadal hits the next serve out. And the next, after a bit of a rally. 40 love - Murray looks so strong when serving. He closes the game without Nadal getting a word in edgeways.
World-class tennis from Murray as the next game gets quickly under way - again he takes an early lead. Again, he then loses it. Again, he then hits the net. 30 15. Superb two-handed backhand from the Scot levels the game. Huge hit from Murray forces Rafa to lunge and send the ball long. 30 40. Rafa sends the Scot scurrying from side to side and he can't quite make the last ball of the rally. Deuce. Advantage Murray after the grunting Spaniard sends the ball too far again. Nadal then waits for the Murray lob and whacks the ball straight back down the court to take the game back to deuce. Murray finds the net again with the next shot. Then - for once - it's Rafa's turn to hit the ball too low. The game hovers around deuce. Nadal takes the game to advantage and then hits his fourth ace to clinch it.
Rafa to serve and Murray takes an early love 30 lead - some stunning play as the Scot stretches for it and drops the ball just behind the net. Can he break the serve? Maybe not - Rafa claws back the lead. 30 30. Then Murray hits it out. Long and blisteringly powerful shots from both players but Murray wins and the game goes to deuce. Advantage Rafa as Murray finds the net again. Murray hits the final serve right out and Rafa wins - again.
Murray closes on the net after his serve, but Rafa hits it over him to take an early lead. Ace from Murray. Then Rafa fails to control the next serve. 40 15 Murray. Successful game - he makes Rafa run side to side and nails it. He's so good when serving!
Love 15 to Murray on Rafa's serve and then he throws away a rally by hitting the ball halfway down the net. Rafa goes 30 15 up after a much shorter rally. Classy, intelligent play from Nadal sends Murray the wrong way. He clinches the game after Murray hits the ball, once again, into the middle of the net.
Murray to serve and he hits a beautiful shot straight past Rafa to go 30 15 up. Then an ace. Then another - clinical, cold, and very beautiful to watch. Game Murray.
Murray couldn't have hit that any better - 30 30 with a beautiful shot down the line. Then Murray goes into the lead after forcing Rafa to hit it wide. Deuce. Superb backhand gives Murray the advantage. Can he take the game? Rafa closes on the net to take it back to deuce. Then Rafa takes the advantage after Murray hits it into the net, and goes on to win the game.
Rafa Nadal doesn't know what's hit him, and he's looking very rattled. He drags himself back from a very precarious position to duece, and then loses all his composure to hand Murray the advantage. He promptly gives it away with a loose forehand, though he appeals the call (and it was, indeed, out), and then gives it to his opponent with another lacklustre shot across court. Nadal capitalises, and holds.
A fifth ace of the day for Murray gives him the advantage. There's a bit of a worry as, yet again, he serves into the net, but he clears it the second time, and after a rally it's Nadal who makes the error to give Murray the game.
Nadal hangs on to his serve, but that's more thanks to Murray not capitalising on his chances than any particular brilliance from the top seed.
Nadal returns into the net in a truly Murray-esque fashion, and that's the first set to Andy Murray!
On his serve, Murray's looking impenetrable. Against Nadal's serve, he seems to have developed an unwanted predilection for returning straight into the net. Even so, he claws it back to deuce, takes the advantage, then breaks for a second time by scooping narrowly straight down the line. He'll be serving for the set!
Murray is positively steamrolling through his service games. He looks sharp and strong against the world no 1.
A tight Nadal service game goes to deuce, at which point the Spaniard seizes the advantage and Murray plays a surprisingly soft shot straight into the net to give the game away.
Murray holds. Nadal, resplendent in red bandana, looks bewildered.
Andy Murray is hot out of the blocks here. He's broken Rafa Nadal's serve in the third game of this first set, and he doesn't look like he's broken sweat yet. Nadal is flailing wildly and needs to recover his composure quick smart.
Murray looks confident on his serve, and takes the game to love.
It's Nadal to serve, and he begins with a fault. That's an anti-climax. Murray takes the first point, but Nadal responds with some nifty footwork up at the net to level. Murray bites back, so does Nadal, who then takes the next two. This looks like it's going to be tight, and may just come down to stamina.
The schedule's been rejigged all day because of the inclement weather, but Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal are out on court now.
 Andy Murray faces Rafael Nadal on Saturday afternoon in the semi-final of the US Open. You can follow the action live on these pages with our rolling commentary.
Is it fair that Rafael Nadal trails Roger Federer, the world No 1, in the tennis rankings? Not only did Nadal beat Federer to win Wimbledon but he thrashed him in the French Open final and has won seven titles this season to the Swiss's two. As Neil Harman points out in today's Times, many then would say that statistics are bunk and the Spaniard is the better player. What do you think?
Let us know below.
It lasted four hours and 48 minutes and featured some of the most compelling tennis ever seen but was Rafael Nadal's five-set victory over Roger Federer the best final in Wimbledon history?
Did it surpass the five-set epics that John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg produced in 1980 and 1981, two matches that for years were regarded as the most exciting the All England Club had seen? Was it more entertaining than the five-set theatre Nadal and Federer played out last year?
Perhaps you think there has been a final better even than any of those. Whatever your thoughts, let us know them below.
And he's celebrating in style, first climbing through the stand to embrace his parents, then walking across the scoreboard roof to shake hands with Spanish dignitaries.
Facing another Championship point, Federer nets an easy forehand, gifting his opponent the title.
Facing Championship point, Federer hits a stunning backhand return across court and beyond Nadal's reach. When will this match end?
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