World no.1 and reigning Wimbledon champion, Roger Federer rollover over his German opponent Bjorn Phau in straight sets to keep himself very much in contention for an unprecedented 6th US Open title. It was clear, right from the outset, that the Swiss was there to dole out some tennis lessons and if possible, some bakery products as well. Even though, the German was able to prevent the latter, barely missing out on a couple of breadsticks, he could do nothing to prevent the Maestro from delivering a masterclass, adorned with out-of the world statistics, including an incredible winners-errors ration of 44-18 and total ace count of 15. In exactly an hour and 30 minutes, the German's misery was put to an end as Federer continued his regal march across the drawsheet. The final score was 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

The first set started off with the legend taken to deuce in his very first service game and the threat of a competitive contest loomed, which would, finally, end the streak of one-sided "under the lights" affairs. However, it seemed as if Federer was in no mood to let that happen as he shrugged off the initial hiccup to break Phau in just the 4th game to get his nose ahead in the contest. Another routine break in the 8th game rounded off the opening set in favor of Federer and the German just appeared unable to match his illustrious opponent's intensity.

Two of the three favourites in the men's draw for the 2012 US Open crown, top seed Roger Federer and Olympic Champion Andy Murray, eased their way into the second round with routine wins of Monday. Murray, up first on Center Court needed over 2 hours to subdue Alex Bogomolov Jr. in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1. Federer, playing in the marquee contest in the night session had an even easier outing, coasting past American Donald Young, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Andy Murray was made to wait for almost 2 hours to get his US Open campaign underway as a freak thunderstorm lashed New York City on the opening day of the tournament. The Olympic Champion had a poor start to the match and was broken in his very first service game, but his opponent too failed to settle and the pair traded the opening four games of the match breaking each other back and forth. Murray finally found his service rhythm in the fifth game and there was no looking back for the Briton as he rattled off four games on the trot to wrap up the first set 6-2.

With the withdrawal of the 3rd ranked Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, from this year's US Open due to tendinitis, all eyes were fixated on the de-facto 3rd seed and new Olympic Champion Andy Murray to see who among the top two seeds would end up with the daunting prospect of clashing with the British no.1 in the semi-finals. The unlucky one turned out to be the 5-time US Open champion and world no.1, Roger Federer. The defending champion and the two-time finalist, Novak Djokovic, was, meanwhile, dealt with the Spanish 4th seed David Ferrer in the bottom half of the draw.

Coming right on the heels of a record-breaking 5th Cincinnati title, the Swiss Maestro would be looking to add yet another page to his already thick book of records by capturing a record-breaking 6th US Open title with the draw also appearing to aid Federer's quest - the only genuine threat in his quarter coming in the form of 6th seed, Tomas Berdych, whom he is expected to face-off with in the quarters. In the first round, the top seed is scheduled to face the American youngster, Donald Young, who experienced a historic run of his own, albeit in a negative light, losing 17 consecutive matches before managing to notch up a win in the Winston-Salem Open. Other possible challengers for Federer include Mardy Fish and Fernando Verdasco, but the legendary Swiss would be expected to make his way past both men comfortably enough.

Roger Federer captured a record 5^th title at Cincinnati defeating World No.2 Novak Djokovic 6-0, 7-6 (7). In a match of two halves, Federer blitzed a shell-shocked Djokovic in a 20 minute first set before edging an increasingly competitive tussle in a second set tie break. The victory gave Federer his 21^st Masters Series Shield tying Rafael Nadal for the most Masters crowns. For Djokovic, this was yet another failed attempt at the Cincinnati title having lost here in the final on three previous occasions. The Serb fought gamely in the second set, but couldn’t quite close the deal against a Federer who raised his game at the right time late in the match to capture a facile victory.

Federer was pleased with the crowd support and recognised their contribution in his victory. The winner was pleased with his transition to the hard courts and was extremely pleased with his 5^th Cincy championship. The title was Federer’s 76^th on the ATP tour, just behind John McEnroe who is third on the all-time list with 77. The win puts Federer in a superb position for the US Open which begins on the 27^th of August in New York.

World No.2 Novak Djokovic marched on relentless in defence of his 2011 Canadian Masters title as he defeated compatriot Janko Tipsarevic 6-4, 6-1 in rain delayed semifinal. The pair were forced off court midway through the 6^th game of the first set in what was a tight tussle. Once they returned though, it was Djokovic who eventually took charge after a close opening set as he surged into his 21^st Masters series final.

In the final he will play the resurgent Richard Gasquet who defused John Isner in straight sets 7-6(3), 6-3. It was a day where Gasquet’s flair and artistry triumphed over Isner’s more metronomic approach as the Frenchman turned on the style to make his 3^rd Masters Series final. Djokovic holds a 6-1 H2H advantage over the Frenchman as he attempts to win his 12^th Masters Series shield in the final later tonight.

It was 6-2, 2-0 to Murray but Federer had 30-40 to break back and sat on a backhand pass that he let rip with every ounce of whip, spin and speed that his single hander could muster. On so many occasions, that backhand has flown in, the opponent's bubble has been pricked and Federer finds his way back into a game that his opponent has dominated. Not today. Today Andy Murray stuck out his racquet, somehow deadballed it off the middle of his racquet and the ball flopped on the other side leaving Federer with no chance.

No chance was exactly what Federer had today as Andy Murray played the match of his life to out gun and out play arguably the greatest player in tennis history to claim a most deserved and satisfying Olympic Gold. The Brit took the final in straight sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 finishing it all in perfect style with an ace in front of a vociferous home crowd that paid full tribute to Murray's fabulous display. Murray broke the final wide open with a 9 game streak through the first and second sets before breaking early in the third to hammer the final nail in the Federer coffin as he sailed home in style.  For Federer it was somehow not to be as the one item missing from his overcrowded trophy cabinet continues to remain desperately out of reach.

Men's Semi-finals day at the London Olympics featured a blockbuster lineup that included 3 of the top 4 seeds, and in this shortened best of three set format, a couple of nail-biting affairs were definitely on the cards. The fans, however, would not have even dreamt of the events that actually transpired on the day. The first semifinal witnessed the 17-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer taking one golden step closer towards capturing the only trophy missing from his cabinet, but not before having been pushed the distance by an inspired Juan Martin del Potro in a 4.5 hour classic, making it the longest 3 set match ever. To cap off an unbelievable day for the packed Centre Court crowd, British hero Andy Murray defeated the world no.2 Novak Djokovic in a high-quality affair to set-up a rematch of this year's Wimbledon final.

With a head-to-head record that is hugely in his favour, which includes winning each of their last 6 encounters, a routine win for Federer was believed to be on the cards. However, Del Potro had other plans. Using his powerful groundstrokes off both wings, booming serve and improved net game to good effect, he stood toe-to-toe with the grass court king, in the process treating the fans to an absolute nerve-wracking affair, shattering numerous records including the one for the longest 3-set match ever, clocking at 4 hours and 26 minutes. In a match deserving 2 winners, it was the mighty Swiss who emerged the victor calling upon his years of experience and vast repertoire of shots to scrape past his determined opponent.