Djokovic beats Nadal to win maiden U.S. Open

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Serbia’s Novak Djokovic  outplayed Spain’s Rafa Nadal to win the U.S. Open final 6-2 6-4  6-7 6-1 at Flushing Meadows today and show why he really is  the hottest player in the game right now.
The world number one produced a masterful display of  tactics and precision then regained his composure after failing  to serve out the match in the third set to seal victory after  four hours and 10 minutes.
The win provided Djokovic with his first U.S. Open title  after he had twice been beaten in the final, including last  year’s decider against Nadal, and his third grand slam this  year after having won the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
“It really sounds unreal. It’s an incredible feeling,”  Djokovic said.
“I’ve had an amazing year and it keeps going. Every time I  play Rafa, it’s a big challenge. I want to congratulate him on  a great tournament again and I wish that we have many more  tough matches in the upcoming years.”
Nadal, who was the undisputed king of tennis 12 months ago  when he completed his collection of grand slam titles at  Flushing Meadows, was again left searching for answers after a  season in which he has lost six finals, including Wimbledon,  and the number one ranking to Djokovic.
“Obviously I’m disappointed now but this guy’s done  unbelievable things,” Nadal said. “I tried my best in every  moment. These kind of matches are very difficult, it brings  your body to the limit. I tried to play crazy but he always  makes fantastic comebacks. That’s tennis.”
No matter how hard he tried, Nadal could not find a way to  get on top of the Serbian, who played at an extraordinary  high-level despite windy conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
To his credit, Nadal fought back gamely to win the third  set in a tiebreaker after Djokovic came within two points of  wrapping up the championship on his own serve.
There were signs of concern for the Serbian, who saved two  match points in his semi-final exhausting win over Roger  Federer, when he called for the trainer to treat his aching  back at the start of the fourth set but he recovered and broke  Nadal’s opening serve to regain control.
After consolidating his lead by holding his next two  service games, he broke Nadal’s serve again, for the 11th time  in the match, the served out victory, collapsing on the court  in celebration after smashing a winner past his opponent.
Both players produced some incredible tennis, including  some epic rallies that had the packed center court crowd  roaring at the top of their lungs, but it was Djokovic who won  all the key moments.
In each of the first two sets, Nadal jumped out to a 2-0  lead, only to be reined in by Djokovic, who kept the Spanish  left-hander under constant pressure with some monster returns  that landed right at his feet.
Djokovic reeled off six straight games to take the opening  set after 53 minutes but found himself down 2-0 again at the  start of the second.
He broke back after an epic third game that lasted more  than 17 minutes and included eight deuces and led 4-2. Nadal  got back to 4-4 but another service break cost him the set.
The third set was the longest, lasting 84 minutes. Both  players were broken three times but Djokovic had the chance to  serve out the match.
He failed but made amends by racing through the fourth set  in 42 minutes to leave no one in doubt that he is the best  player in the world.