After almost two years, the focus for the 2012 US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, is on Roger Federer. Since Federer didn’t win any majors after the 2010 Australian Open (before Wimbledon 2012), the big tennis story has been all about Novak Djokovic’s amazing run to the top of the rankings and his rivalry with Rafael Nadal.

But even though Djokovic successfully defended his title at the Australian Open in January this year – in an epic 5-set battle with Nadal – 2012 has not mimicked 2011. Federer began his charge up the rankings late in 2011 after losing to Djokovic in a US Open semi-final. He opened 2012 with wins as well and suddenly, the 30-year-old was in the reckoning once more. Meanwhile Nadal, having been badly bruised by Djokovic through 2011, beat him in Masters series events and at the French Open.