Federer eyes history

Twice defending champion Federer, 25, the clear-cut world number one for three seasons, is poised to become the first player in history to win three U.S. Opens and three Wimbledons in successive years.

Bill Tilden (1920-21) and Don Budge (1937-38) are the only other two men to win those slams back-to-back two years in a row.

Roddick, 24, revitalised since hooking up this summer with five-times U.S. Open champion Jimmy Connors as his coach, will try to add a second Open title to the one he claimed in 2003 before Federer began his virtual grand slam monopoly.

The top-seeded Federer has beaten ninth seed Roddick 10 of 11 times they have played.

Federer, who this summer won his fourth Wimbledon in a row, is making his sixth straight appearance in grand slam finals as he looks to corral his ninth grand slam crown.

"It's a fantastic year -- the best ever for me," said Federer.

Roddick said he would throw caution to the wind in Sunday's final.

"I'm just going to try to make it a war tomorrow," said the American, who figures to have the home crowd urging him on. "Throw everything at him and make it a battle."

The Swiss master, who won two of his Wimbledons by beating Roddick in the final, said he will not take his challenger lightly.

"Totally different, grass and hard court," said Federer.

"I think it's obviously more difficult here because of the crowd and whole finals situation, playing an American and the only time I lost against him was on hard court, " he added, referring to his 2003 semi-finals loss to Roddick in Toronto.

Roddick, who dropped out of the top 10 this year, has been playing more aggressively, with more spirit and greater consistency - attributes associated with his new mentor.

In his 6-7 6-0 7-6 6-3 victory over unseeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the semi-finals, Roddick committed just 18 unforced errors against 48 for Youzhny and faced just three break points in the match.

Federer, who crushed seventh seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 6-1 7-5 6-4 in the semi-finals, was asked about the difference in Roddick since he joined with Connors.

"I guess he's just serving much better again. That's what was letting him down the last year or so," he said. "Obviously, if you return Andy Roddick well, you're always in for a chance."

Federer, who has dropped only one set in the tournament, said he looked forward to a charged atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where last year he triumphed over fan favourite Andre Agassi in the final.

"I think it's more enjoyable if the crowd really gets into it," said Federer.