A Duel to Fuel Tennis

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Federer is uncomfortable having his tennis reputation defined by Nadal. "I understand the point that [fans] think my career might go through him," he says. "I think it goes through titles." But both players understand the benefits of a U.S. Open final that includes them. Nadal serves a sales pitch to Americans who might yawn at a matchup with no Yanks. He cites Sampras-Agassi, the rivalry on which he was reared, which resembles his contrast with Federer. "I am not American, I'm Spanish, and I was following that because there are special moments," he says, through an interpreter. "It doesn't matter what their nationality is. Those special moments must be followed by people." He and Federer might just create a few.