US OPEN: Djokovic downs Federer in four sets to claim title

Novak Djokovic has won the US Open title after the world number one edged Roger Federer in four gripping sets.

Even though the Swiss maestro battled hard to even the contest in the second set and had several chances to break Djokovic throughout the match, the Serbian overcame his opponent and at times the crowd to clinch his tenth grand slam trophy.

The match had been initially delayed due to the rain, but as play eventually got underway, the opening set saw Federer make a slow start, as the Swiss maestro was producing a few unforced errors. However, Djokovic was sharp, and even though he was unable to convert break points in the opening game, the Serbian soon made the breakthrough after he outlasted Federer in a pulsating rally. But, in the following game, Djokovic took a nasty slip and this appeared to rattle the world number enough to allow Federer to swiftly retrieve the break. The Swiss maestro though was still erratic at times and it ultimately proved costly when Djokovic regained the lead with a scintillating backhand down the line. The world number one was again threatened in the next game by Federer, but he saved a break point before consolidating the break. Despite Federer’s impressive resistance, Djokovic maintained his advantage and comfortably closed out the set 6-4 when his opponent committed another error.

At the start of the second set, Djokovic was forced to repel an attacking onslaught from the Swiss maestro, as Federer was still unable to convert on early break points. However, both players continued to hold their service games with relative ease, until Djokovic came under immense pressure at 5-4. The world number one appeared nervous as the Swiss maestro raised his level to craft set points, but Federer was still indecisive and Djokovic somehow managed to escape such a titanic game. However, the brief respite did not last long for the Serbian, as Federer held further set points at 6-5 following more uncharacteristic errors from Djokovic. This time, much to the delight of the crowd, Federer finally capitalised and he levelled the match at one set apiece when he produced a stinging cross court backhand that Djokovic could not handle.

In the third set, with the crowd firmly behind him, Federer looked to continue the momentum but Djokovic withstood some early pressure to level the scoreline at 1-1. Then, in a dramatic turn of events, Federer appeared to be wrapping up another routine hold but Djokovic battled back and the Serbian’s persistence was rewarded when two consecutive unforced errors from the Swiss maestro gifted the break to Djokovic. However, Federer immediately responded to break back following an error-strewn game by the world number one. The Swiss maestro was in the ascendancy and was beginning to create more opportunities to extend his lead but Djokovic stood strong. At 4-3, Federer forced break points following some more wayward shot-making from the world number one, but once again Djokovic survived to hold his serve. Then, the Serbian ruthlessly punished his opponent’s hesitant play to force deuce and Federer donated the break with more inexplicable errors to allow the world number one to serve for the set. Even though Federer immediately pressed for the break back, Djokovic erased the opportunities with a timely ace and a correct overrule by the umpire to eventually seal the third set.

The fourth set saw the Swiss maestro under early pressure and Federer was unable to hold off his opponent, as Djokovic gained the crucial break. Even though Federer continued to hold his serve and even held a break point at 3-2 down to get back into the contest, another error from the forehand side saw Djokovic breathe once again and maintain his lead. The world number one sensed another opportunity to inflict further damage and the double break was established in spectacular style with a precise return down the line. However, the Swiss maestro was refusing to lie down, and he injected fresh hope of a potential comeback when he recovered one of the breaks to quickly reduce the deficit to 5-4. As Djokovic was serving for the championship, the Swiss maestro took advantage of a nervy game to set up break points with a series of incredible backhands. But, in a remarkable display of resilience, the world number one produced some accurate serving to save the break points, before finally completing a hard-fought 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 victory to clinch the title.

So, in capturing his second US Open trophy, this means that Djokovic has now won three out of the four majors this year and as a result increased the number of his total grand slam titles to ten.