ROGER FEDERER stormed into his fifth successive US Open final yesterday, showing signs of his best form during a 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-2 victory over Novak Djokovic. The Swiss can now enjoy an extra day of rest while Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray must restart their match.

In a repeat of last year’s final, Federer produced his best performance of the tournament, hammering down 20 aces and producing 51 winners in an emphatic victory over the third-seeded Serb.

Federer, who has 12 Grand Slam titles buy has not won one in 2008, is still on track to become the first man to win five successive US Opens since Bill Tilden in the 1920s.

“Who do I prefer to play? I prefer the trophy, that’s what I prefer,” said Federer, who was deposed as world No 1 last month by Nadal after more than four and a half years. “But I guess I would have to say Rafa because we’ve had such great battles over the year. Wimbledon was unbelievable so I hope we can have another one.”

After an outstanding display in the first set Federer, who has struggled to produce his best form at Flushing Meadows, faced a spirited fightback from Djokovic, who hit back by taking the second set.

But it was Federer who then seized the initiative. At 5-5 in the third, he broke Djokovic’s serve and did the same twice in the fourth set to ease to victory. The defending champion has now won 33 consecutive singles matches at the US Open and will feel confident playing Nadal or Murray, neither of whom had ever progressed beyond the quarter-finals before this year.

“One more match is all I need,” Federer said. “I definitely had moments during today where I thought, ‘This is how I would like to play every time’. It was very nice to get that feeling back. I have not played a set as cleanly as that first set since just after Wimbledon in Toronto. I hit winners all the way. It was important to stay grounded because I knew tough times were going to arrive and that is what happened in the second set.

“Of course I am happy to be through to another Grand Slam final. I knew from the moment that I saw the draw that this was potentially going to be a huge match for me. He has been seeking the No2 ranking and has been playing very well on hard courts for the last 18 months but I am trying more and more to push myself forward. I had moments out there today when I felt like my old self again.

“I have been struggling and I have no problems admitting that but here it hasn’t been a struggle. Everything is coming back and that’s why I have been more emotional. I have been in control again. I am defending champion, I have won four times in a row here, I am going to be the one who knows what it’s all about when we get to play the final.”

The women’s final between Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic which was due to take place last night was held over until this evening as rain forced play to be abandoned for the day.