US OPEN 2006: Men's Final Prediction

My men's semifinal prognostications ended up being 100% correct, although I over-estimated the resistance that would be given by the two losing Russian semifinalists, Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny. I did get the winners, right: Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. Now here is my preview and prediction of the 2006 US Open Men's Final:

Roger Federer SUI (1) vs. Andy Roddick USA (9). Federer has accomplished an astonishing feat by earning his sixth consecutive Grand Slam final, the first man to do this in the Open area. Roddick has redeemed himself with people who predicted great things when he won his first title at Flushing Meadows in 2003 at the tender age of 21 but has lost two Wimbledon finals to Federer in 2004 and 2005. Head-to-head Federer dominates their rivalry 10-1.

There's no reason to think that Roddick's new-found confidence will erase the deficiencies Federer has been able to repeatedly expose in the American's game. It is true that Federer has not played "the new Roddick" (their last meeting was in the 2005 Cincinatti ATP Masters Series tournament) but I really don't think it will matter too much. Roddick should be pleased about regaining his place as the #1 ranked American player and making another Grand Slam final, he just unfortunately happens to be playing tennis in the era of one of the all-time greats.

WHO I THINK WILL WIN: Federer (in 4 sets).
WHO I WANT TO WIN: Federer.