NEW YORK, Sept 11 - Defending champion Roger
Federer and Andre Agassi, the two-time winner and crowd
favourite, will square off at the U.S. Open on Sunday in one of
the most eagerly anticipated grand slam finals in recent
memory.
World number one Federer is bidding to become the first man
in the professional era to complete the Wimbledon-U.S. Open
double in consecutive years.
The 35-year-old Agassi, champion in 1994 and 1999, is
hoping to become the oldest man to win a grand slam title in 33
years.
Swiss top seed Federer, winner of five grand slam titles,
has won his last seven matches with Agassi, has lost only three
times this year and dropped just two sets on his way to the
final.
In contrast, Agassi, in his 20th consecutive U.S. Open, has
won three consecutive five-set matches at Flushing Meadows,
digging deep to beat Belgian Xavier Malisse and Americans James
Blake and Robby Ginepri.
Agassi, winner of eight grand slam titles, is appearing in
his first grand slam final since he won his fourth Australian
Open crown in 2003.
Federer has won all five of his grand slam finals and
earned a third consecutive Wimbledon title just over two months
ago.