Many believed that Roger Federer's best chance to win an unprecedented 18th Grand Slam championship came and went last month with his five-set loss to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
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Those many could be wrong.
Federer racked up his 80th career title on Sunday in Mason, Ohio, with his three-set victory over Spain's David Ferrer in the final of the Western & Southern Open, a tuneup for the U.S. Open that begins on Aug. 25.
Federer, who faced questions about his career a year ago when he dipped to a No. 8 ranking during an injury-plagued year, won his third tournament this season and again is looking to be a serious contender for the U.S. Open title.
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A win in Flushing Meadows would be an Open-Era record sixth title for Federer.
"Especially now I come in with great confidence," he said, according to atpworldtour.com. "I can really rest now, rather than having to work on stuff, so it's just about maintaining. That's also really good for the mind... I know my game is where I want it to be. It's about just keeping that level up right now."
He acknowledged winning the Western & Southern without having to face the top two players in the world in Novak Djokovic (No. 1) and Rafael Nadal (No. 2). But that wasn't Federer's fault, and he did beat foes such as Andy Murray and Milos Raonic along the way at the Western & Southern.
"I'm happy how I'm playing," he said, according to The Guardian. "I know I didn't beat Rafa (out with a wrist injury) and Novak (embarrassed in the third round by Tommy Robredo) here but you can only beat who you play. Clearly, I can't wait for the U.S. Open but I need some rest too."
Bolstering the chances of the No. 3 Federer are the facts that Nadal and Djokovic face huge question marks entering the U.S. Open.
Nadal is expected to make a decision as early as Monday as to whether an injured right wrist he suffered during a practice is healed enough for him to enter the year's final Grand Slam.
Djokovic is coming off early losses in consecutive weeks after he took some time off after Wimbledon to get married to longtime girlfriend Jelena Ristic, who is expecting their first child later this year.
Federer will come to New York rested and full of confidence. The same can't be said for either Nadal or Djokovic.
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