US Open Stage Ready For Another Roger Federer Title, Nadal Fans Longing For The World No. 2

World no. 3 Roger Federer once again is relishing the twilight of his career and is ready to claim his 18th Grand Slam and sixth New York title at the upcoming US Open 2014.

In the next couple of days, the Swiss Maestro is hopeful to be the oldest Grand Slam champion in more than 40 years, and take home another US Open title - an event that the 33-year-old has already won five times, although the most recent was back in 2008.

2014 has been a relatively strong year for Federer as he reached his first major final since 2012. Last month, he reached the championship round at Wimbledon.

Federer's consecutive US Open titles from 2004 through 2008 was laudable and his 17th major success at the 2012 Wimbledon seemed to be his last but the 33-year-old never doubted his ability to remain elite in the cut throat competitive sport and he moves into his 15th US Open tournament packed with his unwavering confidence.

Needless to say, Federer is not the favourite at the upcoming US Open because that label belongs to Djokovic, but the world no. 3 who is seeded no. 2 in the absence of Rafael Nadal gained a competitive advantage with a favourable draw and a good form from winning Cincinnati earlier this month.

Federer is not exactly cheering the withdrawal of Nadal from the US Open but he claims that the tournament will be more exciting with the presence of the defending champion.

The Swiss tennis superstar is disappointed for Nadal's fans but he said that for him and other players, Nadal's absence is an opportunity to have one less difficult player to beat in the tournament.

"We hope he gets well and he feels better quickly and all these things and he's back on tour soon," Federer said in an article on The National.

Federer and Nadal did not face each other at Flushing Meadows, which is the only big tournament that did not host their rivalry. Thus far, the Spaniard, who managed to win their last five tournaments, is 23-10 lifetime against Federer.