2008 As the tennis world gathered at Flushing Meadows, it was still riding high from that summer’s Federer–Nadal Wimbledon classic. A rematch in New York seemed all but guaranteed until Rafa, who also won Olympic gold that year, ran out of gas against Andy Murray in the semis, one round before he was to face Federer. “Too many matches in my shoulders,” a tired Nadal said afterward.

2009 For the second straight year, Federer and Nadal reached the semis, and for the second straight year, Nadal would go no further. This time an abdominal tear hampered him, and Juan Martin del Potro took advantage to the tune of a never-in-doubt 6–2, 6–2, 6–2 victory. Two days later, the 20-year-old Argentine would upset Federer to win his first (and only) major title.

2010 The previous two years, it had been Nadal who had failed to keep his final-round date with Federer. Now it was Federer’s turn to stand up his rival. This time Novak Djokovic provided the roadblock when he saved two match points with gutsy winners and came back to beat Federer 7–5 in the fifth. Djokovic wasn’t so lucky in the final against Nadal, who went on to win his first U.S. Open title.

2011 Was it a curse? How else could anyone explain Djokovic’s repeat performance in the semifinals? Again he faced two match points against Federer; again he saved both—one with a screaming service return that would become known as “The Shot”—and went on to win 7–5 in the fifth. “Hats off to Roger,” Nadal said. “I think he deserves to be in the final.” Two days later, Nadal probably wished Roger was there, because Djokovic beat him in four sets.

2013 “For two times we were one point away. For this time we were one match away.” That’s what Nadal said when he learned of Federer’s shocking defeat, one round before they were to play in the quarterfinals. Fate had intervened at the Open again, this time in the form of Nadal’s fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo, who beat Federer for the first time in 11 tries.