Roger Federer struggled to accept the uncanny repetition of defeat by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the US Open, the Guardian reports.
A year after Djokovic saved two match points in the final set to reach the final at Flushing Meadows, he did it again, winning 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 in three hours and 51 minutes.
In a similar circumstance it was the second time this year Federer had lost after winning the first two sets. He was devastated when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga did it to him at Wimbledon and similarly crushed in the U.S. open, Saturday.
The 30-years-old Federer sayid, "It's awkward having to explain this loss."
Asked about the quite remarkable forehand winner Djokovic hit to save match point, Federer reckoned Djokovic did not look at that point like someone.
"Who believes much anymore in winning. To lose against someone like that, it's very disappointing, because you feel like he was mentally out of it already. Just gets the lucky shot at the end, and off you go," he said.
Djokovic was honest enough to admit the shot was a gamble - preferring to regard it as desperate Federer was not willing to give credits to him.
The five-time champion looked to have it sewn up when he brought up two match points but Djokovic saved the first with an unbelievable forehand return winner and that proved the turning point, with Federer failing to win another game.
"It's strange how it goes but it was a good tournament for me. Sure, I'd love to be in the finals and give myself a chance to win the title, which is not the case now. So I have to accept that and move on. I set it all up perfect, but I couldn't finish it."
On the other hand Djokovic looks relaxed. "Yeah, I tend to do that on match points," he said,
"If you're playing somebody like Roger, you have to take your chances when they're presented. I don't want to say I've been in control of the fifth set, because that's not true. But this is what happens at this stage of a tournament when two top players meet. Just a couple of points decide the winner," he added.
Djokovic's first defeat of his incredible season had come in his 42nd match against Federer in the semi-finals of the French Open, denying him a share of John McEnroe's record.
The 24-year-old Serbian says "It was a very similar situation to last year. I had to take my chances. I was very close to being on my way back home. I managed to hit that amazing forehand return which got me back. I got a little bit of energy from the crowd, and I fought back.
"I needed to stay positive, and I definitely didn't want the French Open to happen again. It was an incredible last two games. I managed to play better, to switch gears, and I managed to play two incredible sets - third and fourth. Then I felt it's the moment. It's the moment when I should step in and show what I've got, and it paid off."
"The forehand to be probably the best shot of his career," Djokovic declared adding, "Under the circumstances, maybe, yes. Maybe it was lucky because it was in the right moment, but I took my chances, and I hit it very clean."
