RAFAEL NADAL CLAIMED his second US Open title and 13th Grand Slam crown last night as he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a lung-busting final.
The world number two Nadal, who only returned to the tour in February following a seven-month injury layoff, took his lead over Djokovic to 22-15 as he added the US Open crown to the eighth French Open he claimed in June.
“It’s very emotional. All my team knows what this means to me,” said Nadal, who now has 60 career titles and only returned to the sport in February after a seven-month injury absence.
“Novak always brings my game to the limit. He is an amazing player. He will go down as one of the greatest in the sport.” For Djokovic, the defeat is his second Grand Slam final loss in succession following his straight-sets defeat to Andy Murray at Wimbledon.
For the neutrals, it was a memorable contest which showcased thrilling athleticism, delicate touch and exhausting, brutal rallies, one of which was fought out over 54 strokes:
YouTube credit: chris gayle
“I would have loved to win. But it was obvious that in the important moments he played better tennis, and that’s why he deserved to win. I congratulate him, and I move on,” said Djokovic.
“I had my momentum from midway second set to the end of the third where I was supposed to use the opportunities that were presented to me, and I didn’t do it. I didn’t deserve to win.”
The triumph also meant that 34 of the last 35 Grand Slam finals have been won by the ‘big four’ of Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray.
