Novak Djokovic Wins US Open; Federer Goes Down Fighting

World number 1 Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the final.

Novak Djokovic holds up the championship trophy after defeating Roger Federer in the men’s championship match at the U.S. Open. (Photo: AP)

World number 1 Novak Djokovic has beaten Roger Federer 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the US Open to bag his 10th Grand Slam title and second at Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic’s only previous title in New York was won back in 2011 after which he finished on the losing end of two finals in 2012 and 2013.

I’m enjoying this year more than any previous one because I’m a husband and a father. This makes it even sweeter. I love this sport.
– Novak Djokovic, 2015 US Open Champion

For Roger Federer thought, it was just more Grand Slam misery as he continues to be denied an 18th title, despite having featured in two finals this year itself.

(Photo: AP)

Federer and Djokovic finally took to the court after a three-hour rain delay and were slow to find their rhythm and footing, particularly the top-seeded Serb, who crashed to the surface in the opening set badly scraping his arm and leg.

But the unflappable Djokovic quickly regained his composure and footing.

Federer, broken just twice the entire tournament, was living dangerously from the start by facing three break points in the opening game but managing to save all three.

However, the Serb managed to eventually take a 4-3 lead and then held serve to bag the opening set 6-4.

(Photo: AP)

The second set was a test of wills as Federer, with the crowd squarely in his corner, went toe-to-toe with a defiant Djokovic, the tug-of-war highlighted by a tense 15-minute 10th game which Djokovic held to level at 5-5.

However, it was Federer who celebrated at the end of the set after breaking Djokovic with a stinging crosscourt winner to bag it at 7-5.

(Photo: AP)

Djokovic kept up the pressure with a break to open the fourth and then again, as he ultimately found himself serving for the title at 5-2.

But Federer would not go down without a fight, digging into his reserves and tapping into the crowd’s intense cheers, the Swiss broke back and held serve to cut the deficit to 5-4.

With Djokovic again serving for the match, Federer would get three more break chances but this time the Serb did not falter and clinched the title when Federer’s return sailed long.

The scoreline read 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

(Photo: AP)

The victory marked the third Grand Slam triumph of the year for the Serbian world number one, who also won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles earlier this year.