The headline's a bit misleading, making it look like Roger Federer hasn't won a grand slam title before the 2008 US Open. But to many of his fans and most tennis aficionados who have followed his career for the past five years, that's what it feels like. Indeed, it was a fitting end to the year's tennis Grand Slam season for Roger Federer, ending a long title drought by winning the 2008 US Open men's final against Andy Murray and capturing his 13th career Grand Slam title, one shy of Pete Sampras' all-time record of 14 wins.

For a man whose name has been synonymous with the words grand slam tennis, tennis win and grand slam title (individually or otherwise) for the past five years, a man often described as
the best who has ever played the game, it was a bittersweet victory. Many were starting to write him off as a has-been, the falling star of tennis, after failing to win a major tennis title so far this year and losing his world number one ranking for the first time in 4 1/2 years. Many of his fans, including myself, were starting to doubt as well. But if this straight-set win over Andy Murray is any indication, Roger Federer is back to his winning form! The long title drought must have spurred him to try harder, awakened his senses from complacency and gave him back the hunger for a win that has been missing from his game.

The tennis season isn't over and there are a lot more tournaments in store before the year-end Master's Cup. Expect a fierce battle for the year-end world number one ranking Federer and Rafael Nadal, and another great season for 2009. And with this 2008 US Open men's single title in the bag, there is clear indication that Pete Sampras' 14 Grand Slam title record is in danger of at least being equaled in the next twelve months because Roger Federer is playing like Roger Federer again! (Photos courtesy of AP, Reuters, Getty Images)