World number one Roger Federer [Images] and chief rival Rafael Nadal [Images] took to the streets of New York on Friday morning in a promotional event.

The world's top two players volleyed with junior players on an enclosed miniature court set up right in the middle of the 54th street in midtown Manhattan.

A large crowd of fans cheered on their every move and curious office workers strained to see what the commotion was all about.

Federer and Nadal fielded questions from a group of junior players before picking up their racquets and volleying with the youngsters.

While the pair will be the overwhelming favourites to contest a third successive Grand Slam final, Andre Agassi [Images] will be busy penning the last entry in his tennis memoirs as he contests his 21st successive US Open, a record in the professional era.

Federer and Nadal, who between them have won the last six Grand Slam crowns, are seeded to meet in a final that would extend their scintillating rivalry to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows after riveting jousts on Roland Garros clay and the grass of Wimbledon.

Top seed Federer, 25, seeks his third consecutive US Open title and ninth major victory of his career.

Nadal, 20, winner of the last two French Opens, has been the only player capable of standing up to the Swiss maestro, winning six of eight career meetings, including two of three on hard courts.

Not since the days of John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, and Agassi's showdowns with Pete Sampras, has the game had such a magnetic duel.

Contrasting styles enhance the rivalry with the dazzling arsenal of spin and power employed by Federer pitted against the thundering groundstrokes and fitness of Nadal.

Federer has lost four times this year to Nadal, including the final of the French Open. The Spaniard has established himself as a road block to the Swiss champion's dream of completing a career Grand Slam.

Nadal also showed he was able to challenge Federer beyond the red clay in Paris by reaching the Wimbledon final before losing to the Swiss in the final.

Photograph: Getty Images