The article discusses the 2004 U.S. Open finals, in which Roger Federer was victorious in the men's match, and Svetlana Kuznetsova in the women's. On match point of Sunday's U.S. Open final, Roger Federer pivoted a step to his left and cocked his racket. As Lleyton Hewitt's serve arrived, Federer met the ball and brushed an immaculate slice backhand. Two strokes later Hewitt sent the ball fluttering back, and Federer sized up a forehand that would strafe the backcourt as it rocketed out of reach. It was just another brilliant shot for Federer, but it completed his 6--0, 7--6, 6--0 dissection of Hewitt and gilded one of the most majestic years in the history of men's tennis. Propelled by a pair of thick legs that leave little doubt that she comes from a family of cyclists, Kuznetsova, won 6--4, 7--5 over Dementieva in the Open final. She pulverizes the ball, particularly with her forehand. The same can safely be said of Federer. He is winning majors at a Samprassian clip, three this year alone, and members of the tennis kaffeeklatsch are fast exhausting their inventory of superlatives to describe his virtuosity. Throughout the tournament John McEnroe pronounced Federer "the best player I've ever laid eyes on." In a game filled with players who spray balls--sometimes dazzlingly, sometimes catastrophically--in the manner of Jackson Pollock, Federer plays impressionistic tennis: vivid, stylish strokes mixed with brilliant flourishes.