US Open Betting / Sean Calvert / 08 September 2008 /

Murray victory over Nadal was a sublime example of the beauty of sport. Can he repeat it against Federer? asks Sean Calvert.

Day 14 of the US Open is usually the final day of competition - the climax of a fortnight of brilliant tennis - however Tropical Storm Hanna's brief visit to New York changed all that.

With Andy Murray's bid to become the first Brit since 1997 to reach a Grand Slam final resuming, followed by the women's final later, it promised much and more than lived up to expectation.

Murray began as he had left off and was looking to finish the job early as he earned himself a break back point when Nadal served at 5-4, but some big hitting from the Spaniard, culminating in one of those trademark forehands turned it around and it was he who took the set.

The Scot looked in trouble in the opening game of set number four, but some composed play and big serving got him out of it and it was Nadal's turn to feel the heat as he went 15-40 down in game two.

It turned out to be an epic, as Murray earned and spurned seven break points in total, due it must be said to some unusually big serving from the world number one, who eventually took it after over 15 minutes.

Would that disappointment have any effect on the Scot? It appeared so, as Murray's serve deserted him and Nadal broke to love to take a 2-1 lead.

The great and the good were out in force again for this one with Richard Branson, Will Ferrell and Jennifer Capriati courtside for what was becoming a US Open classic.

Atmospheric conditions appeared to be having an effect on the direction of the match, as the humidity of the previous day had gone and the ball was coming through the court quicker and with more of a bounce, aiding Nadal's difficult to handle top spin.

Murray was on the ropes and at this point in the evening a fifth set looked certain, with the number six seed's chances of prevailing in it appearing slim.

The beauty of sport though is it's unpredictability though and from looking comfortable at 3-2, Nadal missed a simple volley and followed that up with a loose forehand and we were back on serve.

Murray added to his newly gained momentum by serving a love game to take the lead at 4-3. Suddenly the pressure was back on Nadal.

All of Nadal's quaint little idiosyncrasies were on display now, including the trouser picking and excessive ball bouncing. He knew he was up against it and when he hit another forehand wide, Murray had break point to serve for the match.

A couple of long forehands in a row from Murray saw the opportunity disappear though and when he made it three on the bounce Nadal was off the hook at 4-4.

Murray held to go within a game of the final and the market had almost reached the £20 million matched mark, with Murray trading at [1.5] and Nadal at [2.94].

Two fortunate net cords in the next allowed Murray to reach 30-30, just two points away from glory and when one of the best rallies of the tournament finished with a Murray winning volley, he was at match point.

And when an exhausted Nadal tried a drop shot, which wasn't good enough, Murray scampered to it and pushed down the line for victory.

Brilliant stuff and what a final we have in store tomorrow.

Greg Rusedski was almost apoplectic in the Sky studios and immediately proclaimed Murray as unbeatable and tipped him to do what he himself couldn't in 1997 and claim the title in the championship match.

He might be right and whatever the outcome I'll be looking forward to a great final at 10 pm on Monday night.

For the time being though I must admit that I didn't think Murray had much of a chance at the start of the tournament, so it's time for me - and it has to be said countless others - to eat a large slice of humble pie.

There's one match to go though and he is playing the four time defending champion in his first grand slam final so Federer, who will have 24 hours more rest inside him, will be a worthy favourite at around [1.55] against Murray's [2.78].

Back to the here and now though and next up was the women's singles final, which had almost been forgotten in the hullabaloo.

I had the chance for a couple of hours rest before Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic battled it out for the title.

Williams, again wearing the all-red outfit, was looking for her first US Open title in six years and also to regain the world number one ranking that she had been without for five years.

After the thrilling men's semi final it seemed unlikely that this could compare, but it pretty much did and the fans on Ashe witnessed one of the best women's finals in recent memory.

Jankovic, again in the all-yellow outfit, went a break up early before Williams pulled out four straight games to lead 5-2 - largely by punishing the Serb's second serve.

Back came Jankovic though to 5-4, but Williams held firm to take the first set and it appeared that her greater grit, desire and determination would prevail.

Jankovic at times looked happy just to be in her first grand slam final, but it was she who held a 5-3 lead in set number two and had numerous chances to take us to a decider - including being 0-40 up on the Williams serve and double faulting at set point on her own serve.

There were to be no further chances as Williams fought back to gain a 6-5 lead.

A backhand crosscourt winner confirmed Williams as the victor and was the signal for her to fling her racquet high into the air, scream with delight and jump up and down for what seemed an age before shaking hands with Jankovic and apologising for her excitement.

No apology was required for the US Open champ and world number one, who was later described by her father as: "being a combination of a pit bull dog, a young Mike Tyson and an alligator." Surely the least flattering description a father can come out with about his daughter.

Quite a day in New York all told.

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