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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."
