Roger Federer versus Rafael Nadal, under New York's bright lights - finally.
Even Federer wants it. After a spate of big-name withdrawals, the US Open needs it.
And it could well happen.
The two tennis titans are slated to clash at Flushing Meadows for the first time in what would be dream conclusion - if not quite the climax - to this extraordinary retro season where Federer and Nadal have wound back the clock to dominate like a decade before.
After a compelling 12-year rivalry, featuring 37 showdowns - nine in grand slam finals - Federer and Nadal are seeded to meet in the semi-finals as they bid to sweep the four majors for the first time since 2007.
While Federer is favoured to add a sixth US Open trophy to his collection, after landing his sixth Australian Open title and unprecedented eighth Wimbledon crown already in 2017, Nadal has arrived as world No.1 for the first time since 2014 following his 10th success in Paris.
"I'm not too surprised he's back to this magnitude and being back at world No.1 after all these years is really exceptional, really nice for him," Federer said on Saturday.
"I'd be happy to play him here. We never played here in New York, so I think that would be fun for everybody involved.
"I don't know, 60-plus players in between us that don't agree in our section that we should make it to the semis. We have our work cut out there.
"But I'd love to play Rafa here in New York. Hopefully it will be a night session. Hopefully that would be a great atmosphere and one again where we play great like at the Australian Open.
"So, yeah, I don't think we are both thinking that far ahead. I'm sure it will be a nice prospect."
The absences of injured former world No.1 Novak Djokovic and defending champion Stan Wawrinka - after both last year's finalists called an early end to their seasons - and the late scratchings of second seed Andy Murray, Milos Raonic and 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori have left Federer and Nadal as clear favourites.
Suddenly the likes of Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, and fellow young guns Dominic Thiem, seeded sixth, and mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios, runner-up to Grigor Dimitrov last week in Cincinnati, have emerged as serious title challengers.
"Opens the draws, like we saw in Montreal and Cincinnati," Federer said.
"There will be certain sections that if the seed loses anything can happen and you can have a deep run at a slam, semis and beyond.
"So I think it's a huge opportunity for guys ranked outside of the top 10 because there is less guys to beat, getting to quarters or semis, potentially, depending on your section."
Federer, who has the chance to become the sport's oldest world No.1 over the coming fortnight, and Nadal launch their title quests on Tuesday, as does Kyrgios against fellow Australian John Millman.
Zverev is in action on day one against Darian King, a surprise qualifier from Barbados.
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