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.
The 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-1 scoreline did not reflect the intensity and closeness of the match in New York, the climax of the tennis season's fourth and final major tournament.
Both players battled to a standstill, but Djokovic had the edge when it mattered most as he claimed his fourth Grand Slam title and third this year, winning 146 points to Nadal's 122 .
Novak Djokovic wins 4th Grand Slam title
The 24-year-old is now all-but certain to be the first player other than Nadal or Roger Federer to hold the year-end top ranking since Andy Roddick in 2003, and also took home the winner's check of $1.8 million.
As he did in the Wimbledon final in early July, Djokovic shell-shocked Nadal with his powerhouse play and subtle skills, coming back from 2-0 down in the first two sets
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.
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