Crisis? What Crisis?

Form is temporary, class is permanent. A cliche, yes, but so true when referring to Roger Federer's fantastic triumph in this year's US Open.

No doubt all the headlines will be about Andy Murray, and rightly so. It's been a tremendous tournament for the young Scot, a tournament where he has really come of age and started to fulfill the great potential we all know he has.

However, Federer, like a true champion, has come back from what seemed like the strongest adversity.

Some said his time had come and gone, that he would struggle to recover, that he wouldnt be the same player as he was. The loss at Wimbledon would be too much, they said. Federer was damaged psychologically.

Well today was a return to form. Federer was back to his sensational best.

The match began with Federer in imperious form, on the frontfoot throughout. The Swiss star was playing seemingly impossible shots with such relative ease. Murray couldnt live with him - and not many, if any players could have. Federer won the set 6-2, and was looking strong. Murray had barely got going.

The second set was a big test of character for Murray. You felt he needed this set to have a chance in the match. Federer broke the Scot early, and Murray broke straight back. With a second break in sight at 0-40, Murray somehow failed to put the game to bed, The killer instinct wasnt there for Murray, whereas Federer was always taking advantage. Federer was applying the pressure at just the right moments, like the best players do, and took the set 7-5. It looked bleak for Murray, and Federer was looking every inch the class act.

The third set approached, and Murray needed a Gasguet style repeat performance. No signs early on, with an early break from Federer. Murray battled on bravely, saving match points, but eventually, Federer got the job done, winning the set 6-2. After proving all the doubters wrong, this will no doubt be one of the sweetest victories of Federer's career.

Make no mistake about it, the big 3 in tennis has become the big 4. Murray is now part of the elite, joining the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. At 21 years old, he will have other opportunites. He has the game and the attitude to become a force in tennis. Today he just met an unstoppable force in Roger Federer.

So much for a tennis player in decline, eh?