Federer awaits opponent for delayed final

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Roger Federer stormed into his fifth successive U.S. Open final on Saturday but his challenger will not be known for another 24 hours after heavy rain washed away the rest of the day's play at Flushing Meadows.

The four-times champion was in sublime form during a 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-2 victory over Novak Djokovic and can now enjoy an extra day of rest since world number one Rafael Nadal and British sixth seed Andy Murray were foiled by the bad weather.

Murray was in the driver's seat to book a date with the Swiss, leading Nadal 6-2 7-6 2-3, when play in the second semi-final was suspended by rain.

The women's final, scheduled for Saturday night between twice champion Serena Williams and second seed Jelena Jankovic, was postponed until Sunday night as the remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna tossed the last weekend of the Open into disarray.

Nadal and Murray will resume their semi-final on Sunday at 2000 GMT, and American Williams and Jankovic will joust for the women's crown five hours later.

The men's final, in which 27-year-old Federer will seek to become the first man since Bill Tilden in 1924 to win five Open titles in a row, is scheduled to start at 2100 on Monday.

Organisers gave up hope of finishing the second semi-final or staging the women's title match as the weather forecast called for hours of showers.

Because of the threatening weather, the matches were staged concurrently with four-times champion Federer facing Australian Open winner Djokovic at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Nadal-Murray raging at adjacent Louis Armstrong.

The second semi-final, however, was started one hour 40 minutes after Federer and Djokovic's began, providing no chance of completing both as it turned out.

Tournament director Jim Curley told reporters that organisers had been told the window of playable weather would last until about 5:00 p.m. (2100). Play for the day was halted at 2:48 p.m.

Federer took advantage of his time on court by producing his best performance of the tournament, hammering home 20 aces and ripping 51 winners in an emphatic two hour 45 minute victory over the third-seeded Serb.

The Swiss master, owner of 12 grand slam crowns yet thirsting for his first of 2008, was still on track to become the first man to win five successive Opens since Bill Tilden in 1924.

"Who do I prefer to play? I prefer the trophy, that's what I prefer," said Federer, deposed as world number one last month by Nadal after more than 4-1/2 years at the top spot.

"But I guess I would have to say Rafa because we've had such great battles over the year. Wimbledon was unbelievable so I hope we can have another one."

Federer's wish did not look likely to be granted as Murray belted his way to a two-sets advantage across the National Tennis Center plaza at the Armstrong stadium.