Olympic gold medal was inspiration for Federer’s US Open win

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – Roger Federer says winning an Olympic gold medal has helped turn around his difficult year. Federer said the win has "definitely inspired" him 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. The 27-year-old Swiss said Tuesday: "It helped me to stay positive and be motivated for the U.S. Open and not maybe be too disappointed." Visibly lifted by the doubles victory in Beijing, Federer carried that momentum into New York and claimed a 13th Grand Slam singles crown. – AP