NEW YORK // Novak Djokovic set up the second clash between Scotland and Serbia in three days after coming back from a set down against David Ferrer in their weather-delayed semi-final clash to book his place in the US Open final.
The world number two watched his side's World Cup qualifying match against Scotland with Andy Murray on Saturday - but now the two men will face each other knowing that, unlike at Hampden, there must be a winner.
Djokovic said: "We tried to be quiet, but inside we were cheering for our own national teams."
Fourth seed Ferrer had led 5-2 when play was suspended yesterday but, although he took the first set, Djokovic quickly hit back and wrapped up a 2-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 victory after two hours and 32 minutes.
It will be the second grand slam final meeting between Murray and Djokovic after the Serb's crushing win at the Australian Open last year at the start of a sensational season that saw him pick up three slam titles.
He successfully defended his title in Melbourne this year, beating Murray and Rafael Nadal back-to-back in brutal five-setters, but Murray got some revenge with victory in the Olympic semi-final before going on to win the gold medal.
Djokovic will play in his third consecutive US Open final and his seventh final out of the last nine grand slams.
He said: "It's a huge relief to get through this match. David's a great competitor, he's one of the fittest guys on tour and he never gives up.
"We were all praying for less wind today. He handled the wind much better than I did but I came in today as a different player and I'm just really happy to get to another grand slam final."
Under blue skies and with only a little breeze - a marked contrast to the near-tornado conditions that had postponed the match on Saturday - the defending champion was back to the form that has made him unbeaten in grand slams on hard courts for two years.
Ferrer served out the first set, the only set Djokovic has lost at the tournament so far this year, but the Serb promptly reeled off the next five games.
Ferrer finally held to avoid a love set but, although he was trading well with Djokovic in long rallies, the second seed always seemed to have one more shot.
Djokovic broke early in the third set as well but Ferrer showed his tenacity to hit back. The Spaniard was broken again in the seventh game, though, and that proved to be the crucial moment.
Djokovic wrapped up the set and then all but sealed victory by winning the first four games of the fourth. Ferrer dug in to ensure at least the scoreline would be respectable but he was well beaten.
"It's a huge relief to get through this match," Djokovic said afterwards.
"David's a great competitor, he's one of the fittest guys on tour and he never gives up.
"We were all praying for less wind today. He handled the wind much better than I did but I came in today as a different player and I'm just really happy to get to another grand slam final."
On facing Murray, the 25-year-old added: "I don't think there is any clear favourite. He's looking for his first title, I'm sure he's going to be very motivated. I hope we can come up with the best tennis for this crowd."