World No. 1 Novak Djokovic outwitted Roger Federer 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 to clinch his second US Open title.
The victory means Djokovic has now won his third Slam of the year, while appearing in all four major finals, following successes in Australia and Wimbledon and a defeat in the final at Roland Garros.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m dominating, but I definitely am very proud of all of the achievements,” Djokovic said. “You know, winning Grand Slam is very special for any tennis player when you are dreaming of becoming a professional tennis player. When you are kind of finding that inspiration, motivation, these are the tournaments you dream of winning.
“So to actually relive these moments again after 2011 it’s quite incredible. To win against one of the biggest rivals, as you said, all-time Grand Slam champion, somebody that, you know, always keeps on fighting till the last point, keeps making you play an extra shot, yeah, all these things now are very special to me. The biggest tournaments that I have played this year, as anybody else, and I won three out of four. It’s more than I could ask for, definitely … It’s an ultimate challenge that I can have now winning against Roger back to back finals in Wimbledon and here, US Open. It’s tremendous. I’m really, really proud of it.”
Djokovic raced into an early set lead against Federer, who after impressing on his serves for most part of the tournament, was beginning to dish them flat inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday night.
The 17-time Grand Slam winner tied the game a set apiece in a 62-minute second set, converting one of nine break point openings and never faced any on his own serves.
The 34-year-old also impressed in the third set but fell short of some crucial points when it mattered most, as Djokovic claimed both of his break points and saved four of five on his own serves.
Djokovic broke the Swiss in the opening game of the fourth set and again for a 4-3 lead, before finishing it up on his second attempt after Federer had saved his first match-point.
The Serb has now equaled Bill Tilden with 10 Grand Slam titles, one behind Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver, who are tied for fifth most all-time.
The win also sees him return on equal footing with Federer at 21 in their career head-to-head.
