Federer through to face Djokovic

Federer will try for his 12th Grand Slam title in Sunday's final

Roger Federer beat Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets to set up a US Open final against third seed Novak Djokovic.

Federer will go for a fourth straight title at Flushing Meadows on Sunday after his 7-5 6-1 7-5 semi-final win.

Davydenko got an early break but Federer stormed back to take the first set and powered through the second.

The third set was a scrappy affair, with six consecutive breaks, but Federer had the edge in the closing stages and served out to love.

"It was tough and I thought it was quite windy today," said Federer.

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"When I came back in the first set I started to play really well. Then I had some chances early in the third set but after that he started to play much better and made it tough.

"In the end, I am relieved to get through. I am thrilled to be in the final again and have the opportunity again."

Djokovic earlier beat Spain's David Ferrer 6-4 6-4 6-3 in the first semi-final.

Federer went into his match with a 9-0 career record against world number four Davydenko, but it was the Russian who got out of the blocks quicker.

He sometimes plays so well and you are losing points and you're surprised because you don't know how it is possible Nikolay Davydenko

He broke straight away and had a point for a double break midway through the first set but could not convert, and Federer took advantage.

The Swiss won four straight games but then surprisingly faltered when serving for the set, allowing Davydenko to level, before Federer made amends two games later to take the set.

It was a different story in the second set as Federer dominated from the outset, his forehand looking particularly well grooved as he took it in 33 minutes.

Federer kept up the pressure at the start of the third but could not convert a handful of break points before the match entered a bizarre phase of six consecutive breaks.

Davydenko failed to serve out the set at 5-3 before missing two set points in the following game, and it proved too much leeway to give the world number one.

A couple of breathtaking passes in game 11 earned Federer a break point and Davydenko duly double faulted, allowing the Swiss to serve out for victory.

"Sometimes I try to move him from right and left, and then some points he plays so good," said Davydenko. "I don't understand how he can.

"You know, the guy is running right, left. He's just keeping balls back.

"He sometimes plays so well and you are losing points and you're surprised because you don't know how it is possible."