NEW YORK – Andy Roddick cranked up his serve and shouted, "Too big!" Moments later, he moved into the U.S. Open final to face someone who's been too much for him in the past: Roger Federer.
Roddick picked up the pace despite Mikhail Youzhny's best efforts, winning Saturday's semifinal 6-7 (5), 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-3 and drawing several emphatic claps from coach Jimmy Connors.
"I'm going to go enjoy this for about five minutes," said Roddick, the 2003 champion. "I'm going to eat and try to get some sleep and come out and try to win a U.S. Open tomorrow."
Hours earlier, Federer charged into his sixth straight Grand Slam final, overwhelming Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.
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After that match, the two-time defending Open champion did not seem overly concerned about his next opponent, no matter who it was.
"It's going to be tough, even though I have great records against both of them," Federer said.
Precise with his shots, Federer was equally accurate with his stats: He's 10-1 vs. Roddick and 7-0 vs. Youzhny.
Roddick dominated with his serve, winning 43 of 50 points toward the end. He closed the seventh game in the final set with boomers over 130 mph, prompting him to call out to the 54th-ranked Youzhny.
Youzhny tried several tactics to slow down Roddick. The Russian took his time getting ready to receive serves and bounced around when Roddick got set.
"My pace on my serve?" Roddick asked -- and demanded -- of the chair umpire.
Roddick also played under control, with just 18 unforced errors to Youzhny's 48. Maybe that is Connors' influence at work, and Roddick improved to 18-1 in matches under his new coach.
The top-seeded Federer never had to sweat, showing off pinpoint serves, sizzling backhands and crushing forehands. His only slowdown in this semifinal romp came when he and Davydenko held up as jets leaving nearby La Guardia Airport roared overhead.
Federer won the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year and is trying for his third consecutive U.S. Open title. He is the first man in the Open era, which began in 1968, to reach six Slam finals in a row.
"I thought I played really well today," Federer said. "I enjoy being on the biggest stage in the final moments."
Federer improved to 8-0 lifetime against the No. 7 Davydenko and has won 18 of 19 sets at this tournament.
"He's No. 1, that's why I think he's winning everything," Davydenko said. "He was too fast."
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