GOLD INSPIRED FEDERER

 

Winning an Olympic gold medal helped Roger Federer turn around his difficult year.

"I think it has definitely inspired me," Federer said Tuesday as he prepared to lead Switzerland in a Davis Cup playoff against Belgium this weekend.

Federer won the men's doubles title in Beijing with Stanislas Wawrinka on Aug. 16. Even though he lost in the Olympic singles quarterfinals to James Blake, the doubles gold was a turning point in a season that had passed without a major title.

"It helped me to stay positive and be motivated for the U.S. Open and not maybe be too disappointed," said the 27-year-old Swiss, who won his fifth straight title at Flushing Meadows last week.

"I'm happy that I've got an Olympic gold now in my pocket and that I've also got a U.S. Open trophy, so it couldn't be better right now."

Visibly lifted by the doubles victory in Beijing, Federer carried that momentum into New York and claimed a 13th Grand Slam singles crown. He dominated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and Andy Murray in the final to reassert his dominance.[AP]