Roger Federer began his campaign for a record sixth US Open with an easy 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over America's Donald Young, but insisted Novak Djokovic remains the favorite to deny him an 18th major.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic could barely conceal his delight on Thursday after avoiding the elephant in the room - Olympic champion Andy Murray - in the draw for the US Open.
Roger Federer tightened his grip on the world No 1 ranking after a crushing 6-0, 7-6 (7) defeat of Novak Djokovic to win a sixth title this season at the Cincinnati Masters.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic set up a showdown for the Cincinnati Masters title after cruising to semi-final victories on Saturday.
Novak Djokovic from Serbia said on Wednesday that he is looking forward to returning to play on grass at the All-England Club, where he won the Wimbledon men's singles title in 2011.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have met 26 times, but Friday's potentially epic Wimbledon semifinal will be a first clash on grass in their rollercoaster, six-year rivalry.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic displayed his liking for Wimbledon's roof again with a late night second round victory over American upstart Ryan Harrison on Wednesday.
Men's champion Novak Djokovic arrived on court with a golf club, Roger Federer with his own unique brand of magic and Maria Sharapova basking in a Parisian glow as Wimbledon's headline acts shone in the opening day sunshine on Monday.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic is looking forward to a new rivalry at the summit of men's tennis after losing a hard-fought French Open final against Spanish clay-court king Rafael Nadal.
Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will have to come back to finish their French Open final after rain prevented a conclusion on Sunday with the match on a knife-edge.