Federer eyes Roddick clash

With Rafael Nadal now out of the equation, Federer and Roddick have become massive favourites to meet in the final, which they will do if they can overcome the Russian challenges of Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny respectively.

When asked after his victory over Blake who he would like to play in the final if he got there, Federer said that he would "like to play Andy (Roddick)" but he also admitted there was some tennis to be played before he could start thinking about that potential match-up.

"Andy and I look like the big favourites, but we have seen what happens to big favourites sometimes so we have to be careful.

"I've had some tough matches with Davydenko, so I'm aware I have to deal with that match first.

"Davydenko is playing really excellent at the moment. He's really improved a lot on hard courts, all of a sudden he has kind of found another gear, he is much more confident from the baseline, and is incredibly fit, he never breaks down.

Federer also said that he wasn't all that surprised that Nadal was knocked out of the tournament saying that he knew that Mikhail Youzhny would prove a tough opponent for the Spaniard.

"I knew that it could be a dangerous match for Rafa because he almost lost to him at the Australian Open and I knew Youzhny's was going to cause trouble to Nadal with that great backhand of his."

The whole tennis world was excited about the prospect of a third consecutive Grand Slam final between Federer and Nadal final, but Federer is unconcerned that there will be no meeting between the two in New York.

"For me it doesn't matter much (who I play), as long as I advance in the tournament."

Federer has now equalled Ivan Lendl's record of 10 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals, and while he won't get to face Nadal in the final, he does have a great chance of renewing his old rivalry with Andy Roddick, the man he beat to win Wimbledon in 2004 and 2005.

If he does face the American, he can expect to play the match out in the same intimating atmosphere that he had to endure against Blake on Thursday night, but Federer said that playing in such an environment was not something that worried him.

"I didn't have the feeling they were rooting against me, they were rooting for James and that's a big difference. It was absolutely acceptable to me."

The men's semi-finals take place on Saturday, with the final scheduled for the following day.