Rafael Nadal beat world number one Novak
Djokovic in a pulsating four-set final to
claim his second US Open title in New York.
The Spaniard, 27, held on magnificently in the
third set to go on and win a gripping contest
6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 in three hours and 21
minutes.
One incredible 54-shot rally - the longest in
the tournament by 20 shots - summed up a
battle that thrilled the 23,000 spectators in
Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Nadal has now won 13 Grand Slam singles
titles and moves within one of Pete Sampras in
the all-time list, with Roger Federer leading on
17.
And after missing last year's US Open during a
seven-month absence with a knee injury, Nadal
is now set to regain the number one ranking.
"Having this success is amazing," he said. "I
never expected it. That's life and I'm lucky to
have what I'm having.
"I really love the competition, I really love the
sport. All my career I dreamed to be involved
in matches like today. I enjoy every moment.
"These things are not forever. In a few years I
won't have this chance. I try my best, I have
passion and that's all I can do."
Monday's final was a predictably electrifying,
punishing contest as the pair met for the 37th
time - taking them past the rivalry of John
McEnroe and Ivan Lendl to set a new record
since the Open era began in 1968.
It was their sixth Grand Slam final and third at
Flushing Meadows, after the Spaniard won in
2010 and Djokovic took revenge in 2011.
Nadal, seeded second, had a 21-0 record on
hard courts this year heading into the final,
and had dropped serve just once while
powering through the draw in New York.
He began as many people's favourite and set
about proving them right as he dominated for
the first hour, accelerating through his
forehand to find a gear that Djokovic simply
could not contain.
Two breaks earned Nadal the first set in a
relatively brisk 42 minutes, but for the next
80 minutes it was all Djokovic as his forehand
now began to dictate, while his returning
ability increased the pressure.
Nadal's seemingly impregnable serve was
broken three times in succession, the first
thanks to that lung-busting 54-shot rally that
explored every inch of the court, and Djokovic
raced through six of seven games to take a 2-0
lead in the third.
Nadal was reeling, fending off another break
point to avoid falling a double break behind,
and it proved significant when the Djokovic
storm abated and the errors crept back in
game six.
After two hours and 17 minutes, the world's
top two players were level at 3-3 in the third
set, and it looked as though Djokovic had
made the decisive move when he earned three
break points at 4-4.
Nadal was knocked off his feet by the force of
one strike that clipped his baseline, but the
irrepressible Majorcan refused to yield, coming
back to hold and then launching into a return
game at 5-4 to earn set point.
A trademark hammer of a forehand was too
much for even the elastic Djokovic to get
back, and a jubilant Nadal crouched at the
baseline, punching his fist, as he took a lead
that had seemed hugely unlikely only minutes
earlier.
The belief appeared to drain from Djokovic
and, after saving an early break point in the
fourth set with a net cord, Nadal left no room
for bad luck when he crunched another
forehand on his next opportunity.
A titanic struggle came to a tame end as
Djokovic sprayed two backhands into the
tramlines to fall 5-1 behind, but there were
plenty of emotions on display after Nadal saw
the Serb find the net on match point.
The victorious Spaniard fell to the ground
before tearfully celebrating with his
supporters.
"All of my team knows how much this match
today means to me," added Nadal. "Playing
against Novak is always a very special feeling
and nobody brings my game to the limit like
he does."
Djokovic, whose loss was a fourth in five US
Open finals, admitted. "He was too good, he
definitely deserved to win this match and the
trophy.
"Obviously, it's disappointing to lose a match
like this. Again, it was a huge privilege and an
honour to fight for this trophy."
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