US Open: Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic in four-set final to win his second Open title

Updated September 10, 2013 12:26:29

Photo: Jumping for joy...Rafael Nadal celebrates his second US Open title after victory over Novak Djokovic in the final. (Getty Images/AFP: Al Bello)

Map: United States

Spain's Rafael Nadal has capped his stunning 2013 season with a second US Open title, beating Novak Djokovic in a fierce four-set encounter at Flushing Meadows.

Nadal looked in unstoppable form early to race through the opening set, but Djokovic levelled the match and looked in control in the third, before the Spanish champion turned the final around to take the title 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in three hours, 21 minutes.

The win gives him 13 grand slam titles, including a record eight French Opens, two Wimbledons and one Australian Open.

The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium was treated to some amazing tennis, none better than a breathtaking 54-shot rally won by Djokovic to break for 4-2 in the second set.

Nadal and Djokovic tried everything to gain the advantage, from crushing groundstrokes to desperate lobs and delicate drop shots.

Both men played aggressively, but Djokovic's strategy of going for every winner resulted in him making more than twice the number of unforced errors as his opponent.

In the end the pressure told, as Nadal got the critical break for a 2-0 lead in the fourth set, and held on to clinch the win.

"It's very, very emotional," Nadal said after the match.

"My team knows how much today's match means to me.

"Playing against Novak is always a special feeling - nobody brings my game to the limit like he does.

"Congratulations Novak, you are an amazing player ... I'm sure you will finish your career as one of the best in history."

A downcast Djokovic acknowledged he had been beaten by a player in rare form.

"Obviously I want to congratulate Rafael and his team, he was great tonight - he definitely deserved to win this match and this trophy," he said.

"(It's) disappointing to go like this, but it's a privilege and an honour to be fighting for this trophy.

"I'll be definitely coming back next year, thanks (to the crowd) for your support."

Nadal gets the jump in record-breaking clash

Photo: Not his night...Novak Djokovic downcast on his way to a four-sets loss to Rafael Nadal. (Getty Images/AFP: Matthew Stockman)

The match marked the 37th time the two players had played each other, a record in the Open era, beating the previous mark held by Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe.

Nadal went into the match as favourite having won five of the pair's last six meetings.

Expectations were high for a tight, enthralling final, but Nadal burst from the blocks and quickly took command of the match.

It took 42 minutes, but he won the first set 6-2 in strong style, pushing Djokovic around and forcing errors from the Serbian number one seed.

Djokovic looked slow and far from top gear, but as the crowd encouraged him he held serves to start the second set and then had a crack at Nadal in the sixth game.

The world number one nailed a superb top-spin lob to leave Nadal stranded for 15-30, but the Spaniard won the next point to avoid double break point.

However Djokovic then converted an excellent angled cross-court volley, and then prevailed in a stunning 54-shot rally to force a netted return from Nadal to seize the break for 4-2.

The crowd gave both men a standing ovation for the point, which featured fierce groundstrokes and took the players all over the court.

Nadal threatened to break straight back when he put his opponent down 0-40 in the seventh game. Djokovic saved two break points but could not stop his opponent taking the game to make it 4-3.

But a 10-minute eighth game culminated in Djokovic winning a 28-shot rally to break once again for 5-3.

Djokovic then held his nerve, hammering a backhand winner down the line to take the set 6-3 and level the match after one hour 40 minutes.

Momentum shifts in fierce third set

The match essentially became a best-of-three set contest, with the Serbian suddenly holding the momentum.

As if to emphasise the shift, Djokovic ripped into Nadal's serve in the opening game of the third set, breaking the Spaniard to love.

Nadal stepped up his game to try to get the break back, but Djokovic held for 2-0.

There was little pretence as both players played stand and deliver tennis in a tough third game. Nadal set up game point with a disguised drop shot, and then forced an error from Djokovic to keep him in the set at 2-1.

As night descended at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the pair exchanged holds of serve to keep Djokovic ahead 3-2.

Nadal lifted his intensity again in the sixth game, however, and the pressure got to Djokovic, who hit a backhand return well over the baseline to deliver the break back. Nadal quickly held for 4-3, but Djokovic then levelled at 4-4.

In the next game, Nadal stumbled and fell on the baseline to miss a return and go down 0-30 on his own serve, and then Djokovic jammed him with a deep return to set up triple break point.

Nadal hit a great forehand winner to save one break, forced a Djokovic error to win another extended rally, then nailed an ace down the T to get back to deuce as the crowd roared. He went on to hold for 5-4 in a critical game.

The gusty, swirling wind was making life difficult for both players. Djokovic was hitting for the corners to keep Nadal on the defensive, but he was making more than double the unforced errors.

Djokovic made another forehand error to go down set point, and Nadal made the advantage count, his ferocious drive down the line forcing the Serbian to push his return long and concede the set 6-4.

Nadal has all the answers

Photo: Rafael Nadal captured his 13th grand slam title with US Open final victory over Novak Djokovic. (Reuters: Eduardo Munoz)

As the match neared the three hour mark, Nadal defended more break points to hold for 1-0.

A tiring Djokovic doubled down on his aggressive strategy, but two more errors left Nadal with a chance at 0-30. He pushed Djokovic back in the following rally, forcing another error to go up three break points.

The top seed tried to fight his way back, but Nadal had the answers, ripping a forehand down the line to take a 2-0 lead.

The Spaniard quickly consolidated the break for 3-0, before Djokovic stopped the rot with a vital service hold.

The Serbian was struggling to make inroads on Nadal's serve, however, and another comfortable hold left the number two seed just two games from victory.

The end came quickly, as Nadal raised his game once more to crack Djokovic for the second time in the set, establishing a 5-2 lead.

Serving for the match he did not give his opponent a chance, sealing the win with another powerful point that forced Djokovic to hit the final ball into the net, leaving a total of 53 unforced errors for the match compared to Nadal's 20.

Nadal missed much of 2012 with a knee injury, but he has rebounded with a stunning 2013.

His record for the year now stands at 60 wins and only three losses, including a 24-match unbeaten run on hardcourts leading into and through the US Open.

The Open marks his 10th title of the year and the 60th of his career.

Djokovic will remain world number one despite the loss.

Topics: tennis, sport, united-states

First posted September 10, 2013 10:35:18