Small businesses continued turning to the U.S. Small Business Administration for commercial credit in record numbers through the first three quarters of FY 2005, reflecting their confidence in the U.S. economy and the stability of the SBAloan program that backs their loans.

Small businesses secured SBA backing under the agency's flagship 7(a) program for 71,131 loans through the first nine months of the fiscal year, a 21 percent increase over the same period a year ago and a 49 percent increase over the same period two years ago.

The loans made so far this year amount to $11.1 billion, 19.5 percent more than in the same period last year, and on a clear pace for a record-setting year for the program.

Federer had beaten Hewitt on his way to taking both Grand Slam titles this year but the Australian had looked stronger than ever in New York, reaching the final without dropping a set.

A tight match had been expected but Federer came out in blistering form, dominating with his forehand and racing through the opening set in 18 minutes. Another break followed at the start of the second set and a rout looked on the cards, until Hewitt finally got off the mark in game nine. US Open Tennis Tickets. The Australian is the best fighter in the game and saved three set points on his way to breaking back at 5-5, but Federer regained the initiative early in the tie-break and never looked back.

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Where next for Federer?

Hewitt had nothing left in the third and dropped serve three times, as Federer claimed another landmark win in his already remarkable career.

"It's an incredible effort what he's done, to win three Grand Slams out of four," said Hewitt afterwards.

"With the depth in men's tennis the way it is, I don't think people realise how hard it is."

The next goal for Federer must be to complete a Grand Slam in 2005, but he is not ready to contemplate that feat quite yet.

"I don't know if I can play any better," he said. "I'm very tired right now and I don't even want to think about four out of four.

"It's all about partying and relaxing right now."

The US Open was once known as the U.S. National Championships and was as a men's singles tournament. The first in match in 1881 wasn't for money of fame, it was held purely for entertainment purposes. The US Open as we know it today arose when the five major championships were consolidated in 1968. The first modern day US Open was held at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens, N.Y.

"We had a record year for this loan program a year ago, and we're going to set another record in 2005," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "It tells us that the critics are wrong, that small businesses are confident enough to invest in the future of the American economy, and that this program is here to help them do it. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of the self-funded footing on which the President has placed the loan program, and the confidence that lenders have in its stability. I am very pleased with this performance so far this year."

The gains are also reflected in the SBA's Certified Development Company, or 504, loan program. Through the first nine months of the fiscal year, the 504 program had issued 6,434 loans worth $3.44 billion, more than 6 percent ahead of the same period a year ago, when the program had produced 6,058 loans for $2.88 billion.

The budget for the current year makes more than $21 billion available to small businesses through the two loan programs, including $16 billion in small business lending under the 7(a) program and $5 billion under the 504 program.

For information on applying for an SBA loan, visit the SBA's extensive Web site