World No. 1 Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal for the sixth consecutive time to win his first U.S. Open title in dramatic style on Monday and avenge last year's final defeat by the Spaniard. The Serbian triumphed in an epic lasting four hours and 10 minutes, defying his tiring body after Nadal fought magnificently to take the match to a fourth set.
Nadal did not relinquish his title without a fight, but was unable to convert eight of his 14 break-points in a see-saw match featuring many titanic rallies that thrilled the capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Novak has been doing unbelievable things. What he has done this year will be impossible to repeat
Djokovic capitalized on 11 of his 26 break points, firing 55 winners to 32 while making 51 unforced errors to Nadal's 37. Djokovic served for the title at 6-5 in the 84-minute third set, but Nadal broke back and took the tie-break in commanding style with just under three and a half hours on the clock.
Djokovic needed treatment on his back before winning the opening game of the fourth set, then took a full medical timeout before breaking Nadal's serve.
The halt in action seemed to extinguish the Mallorcan's renewed energy, and he fell to his 10th defeat in 15 hard-court encounters with Djokovic, who reduced his career deficit against Nadal to 13-16 as he won his 10th title of 2011.
It was third time lucky for Djokovic, who was beaten by Federer in the 2007 final at Flushing Meadows.
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