Novak Djokovic's dominance of Rafael Nadal continued as the Serb clinched his third grand slam of the year with a thrilling 6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-1 win in the final of the US Open.
Djokovic has lost just two matches all season and he proved he is the dominant force in world tennis by withstanding a fightback from Nadal and overcoming fatigue to take the title.
The Spaniard demonstrated the fighting qualities that have taken him to 10 grand slam titles as he dug in to claim the third set and looked set to race away as Djokovic tired but the world No. 1 shook off mental and physical fatigue to get the job done in a match that spanned four hours and 15 minutes.
The two had met on five previous occasions this year and Djokovic had won the lot. And he began the match like a player confident he had the measure of his opponent. He came out with intent, seizing on some short balls from Nadal and the Spaniard was pushed hard to hold his opening service game.
Despite the stunning start from Djokovic, it was Nadal who drew first blood. He fired a forehand down the line to craft a break point and a poor backhand into the net from Djokovic secured the break.
From that point though, the first set was one-way traffic in the Serb's direction. Nadal's serve let him down in the following game. He made just one first serve and Djokovic did not pass up the chance as some power hitting forced the error from his rival's racket.
Djokovic held serve from 15-40 in the following game and he piled pressure on Nadal, with some immense hitting forcing the Spaniard further and further behind the baseline.
Nadal looked utterly confused as the opening set progressed, as his hitting was less than clean and there was no sign of the rasping forehands that did for Andy Roddick and Andy Murray.
With Nadal behind the baseline, Djokovic had the presence of mind to mix things up and he broke through for a second time on the back of two stunning drop shots that Nadal did not even attempt to chase down.
Djokovic made it six games on the spin when holding serve to close out the set, as Nadal looked like a player without answers.
The Spaniard stopped the rot with a strong hold at the start of the second set and then duly broke through, with a blistering forehand down the line crafting the break point.
As in the first set, the Nadal forehand down the line disappeared from view and Djokovic earned the break back in an epic 17-minute game. The level of play was simply stunning and it was a shame that Nadal surrendered his serve by sending a smash into the net.
The second mirrored the pattern of the opening set as Djokovic converted back-to-back breaks to lead 3-2 - leaving Nadal to wander to his chair and begin a lengthy discussion with the umpire. It was a clear sign that Nadal was rattled and not even a time warning could knock Djokovic out of his stride.
Nadal fended off a double break in an eight-minute game and then found a foothold by breaking through to level at 4-4.
Inexplicably, though, Nadal dropped his serve as three poor forehands gifted the advantage to the Serb. Djokovic converted his serve to move two sets to the good, with the Nadal forehand breaking down badly as he framed two balls.
Andy Murray spoke about the difficulty in reading Nadal's serve following his semi-final loss, but Djokovic had no such trouble and he secured a seventh break of serve in the third game of the third set.
Nadal's mental resolve is legendary and he broke back to level at 2-2, but it only served to lift Djokovic to greater heights. Another game in excess of ten minutes saw some of the best tennis of the match, with Nadal crafting some supreme backhand slices and blistering forehands but Djokovic had an answer to every question and broke again to lead at 3-2.
The see-saw nature of the third set continued as Nadal stepped up two feet on to the baseline and started to crash winners for fun. He broke back with ease and held in a similar vein - hitting cleanly from the baseline and forcing Djokovic into errors.
Djokovic soaked up some huge blows from Nadal to hold in another game that extended beyond 10 minutes.
Further breaks were traded and the set was extended into a tiebreak. Nadal got himself ahead early in the breaker as errors flew off both backhand and forehand of the Djokovic racket. The two served up one of the points of the match in the breaker, with Nadal retrieving a backhand that looked out of his reach and then powered away a winner two strokes later. The Spaniard's simple refusal to throw in the towel saw him extend the match.
Djokovic called the trainer out at the changeover for treatment on a back injury and his movement was restricted - with the Serb regularly stretching out his back but he somehow managed to hold serve in his opening game of the set.
Djokovic took a medical timeout after the first game and the trainer worked hard to stretch out the muscles in his back. The five-minute break appeared to unsettle Nadal and remarkably Djokovic broke through - somehow finding a forehand winner on his fourth break point.
The No. 1 seed could barely raise his racket above his head to serve and the pace was hugely down, but he relied on precision and held for a 3-0 lead.
Nadal stopped the rot to get on the board in the fourth with a love service hold, but he too began to look fatigued as the match ticked beyond the four-hour mark.
Djokovic was running on fumes, but also on the desire to take his first US Open title and third slam of the year and a strong love hold handed him a cushion and a string of brilliant winners secured him a second break for a 5-1 lead.
Having bounced around on the ropes, Djokovic bounced off them and served out to claim his first Flushing Meadows crown.
Twitter reactions:
Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 1-6 Djokovic
Djokovic is not messing about this time and calmly moves to 30-0, only for Nadal to hit a blistering backhand return winner. Djokovic then sends a forehand out and it's 30-30. Nerves there, nerves here.... a serve out wide and a controlled backhand down the line give Djokovic championship point..... and he steps back and slams a forehand winner! US Open champion after four hours and 10 minutes.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC BEATS RAFAEL NADAL 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 TO WIN THE US OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME
Serbia
Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 1-5 Djokovic *
Djokovic is well and truly back, a huge return and a ruthless backhand down the line take him to 0-30. Nadal then nets a backhand and it's 0-40 and three break points for Djokovic..... and Nadal goes long with a backhand! That must be that, surely.
Twitter
From mrmichaelosborn on Twitter: "Djoker so close to completing the most remarkable year in tennis ever! But think rafa will still have a say before the end. Vamos #bbctennis"
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 1-4 Djokovic
A couple of first serves help Djokovic no end, and the pace drops as he eases through a love game, although it's not without a few winces and feels of his back. A smash does the job though and he's looking a strong favourite once again.
Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 1-3 Djokovic *
Nadal races to a quick hold and is back to "Vamos!", having apparently shelved the "Come on!" experiment.
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From From Jdmm89 via text: "Its just unbelievable how hard these guys have been hitting ball and how long! Its not tennis..... Its heavyweight boxing and right now Novak has taken a blow from Rafa that he might not get up from. Great tennis!"
From Matt via text: "Whatever the result whatever the scoreline this is already the most thrilling tennis match i've ever seen!"
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 0-3 Djokovic
Come on, everyone, on your feet! After four hours or so, Nadal chases down a lob and hoists one of his own, only for Djokovic to leap in the air and thump away the smash. That would have been impressive in the first five minutes. Djokovic holds to 15, and he's suddenly back in control.
Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 0-2 Djokovic *
I've spent good money getting the sort of back treatment Djoko has just received for free. Probably not the time to point that out to him though. An impatient Nadal is stalking the baseline while all that is going on, bristling with energy. But has Djokovic pulled a fast one? A Nadal error and a couple of Djoko winners earn him two break points at 15-40... Nadal dominates the rally on the first one, Djokovic breaks a string on the second. He looks to the heavens before heading back to the chair and chucking his racquet to the ground. The new one seems to work though, Djokovic swinging an incredible angle with a forehand and it's break point number two.... a bizarre interruption in our office means I miss it, but clearly so does Djokovic. Another break point.... a great Nadal winner. Break point number four.... a brilliant, brilliant off-forehand from Djokovic. Just the four more games required.
Twitter
From vickymanutd7 on Twitter: "Thank god for makeup cause I'm Gunna need it with these bags under my eyes after this match #bbctennis"
From kurt_sullivan on Twitter: "My backs hurting just watching this! #bbctennis"
0054: Djokovic is taking a medical timeout for his back, and the umpire takes the opportunity to give him a reminder about the time he's taking between points. Under the circumstances, that seems a bit harsh. Still, Nadal looks fighting fit and probably isn't too chuffed that this break comes before he has to serve.
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 0-1 Djokovic
Djokovic reaches up a bit gingerly on his first serve and is doing the kind of half-hearted stretches you see in offices around the country. He gets himself a game point but the amazingly lively Nadal pounces on a volley at the net to make it deuce. Djokovic edges through the game but he looks well off the pace right now, and the trainer is back out.
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From anon via text: "Tennis what a match! Going to be so late for work! "
From Sho_Rahman on Twitter: "#BBCTennis It would be an absolute miracle if Djokovic won from here. He is absolutely shattered."
From dj_jones7 on Twitter: "This is going to be one of those 'where were you' moments, just like Wimbledon 2008. I personally am in bed #BBCTennis"
0045: Djokovic is flat out on the court getting treatment to his back, but comes back out and we press on. Three-and-a-half hours for three sets? Madness.
Spain
Nadal 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic *
Djokovic isn't quite done here and a good serve and a heavy backhand bring him back in touch at 5-3 down. He looks to have cut the deficit even further with a great forehand into the corner but fails to back it up, and Nadal fights his way back into the rally before firing a backhand winner - 6-3, three set points for Nadal..... some bright spark shouts just as Djokovic is going to serve - that person is definitely unattractive on the inside - and Djokovic nets a forehand. Three-and-a-half hours and the trainer is on for Djokovic. Where's mine?
Nadal 2-6 4-6 6-6 (5-1) Djokovic *
Correction - 5-1 up.
Nadal 2-6 4-6 6-6 (5-1) Djokovic *
Nadal moves 2-0 up with a mini-break when Djokovic nets and the crowd goes ballistic. They want more of this. Djokovic makes two forehand errors to fall 3-1 down, and Nadal sweeps in with a brilliant forehand to change around 5-1 up.
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 6-6 Djokovic
Djokovic misses a forehand on the first point but hits a service winner for 15-15. We're not going out quietly here though... Nadal wins a barnstormer of a rally with a huge backhand that has the crowd roaring and it's 15-30. Djokovic keeps his cool and puts a forehand into the corner for 30-30, but then bunts a nervous backhand over the baseline and it's break point.... another long, punishing rally, and Djokovic sends a forehand wide! Tie-break time.
Nadal 2-6 4-6 5-6 Djokovic *
Nadal pulls a forehand into the tramlines for 15-30 but recovers with his second ace of the match. Djokovic takes the initiative at 30-30 and comes into the net, holding off Nadal's attempted passes and angling away a forehand volley. Break point... what a shot! What a flippin' shot! Djokovic moves Nadal around, opens the gap down the line and hits as good a backhand as he ever has. The world number one stands and looks at his box like a man possessed. He'll serve for the title.
Twitter
From Chriscanning on Twitter: "This is rivalling Wimbledon 2008 and there's a chance it could be over in three sets!! Crazy! #BBCTennis"
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 5-5 Djokovic
Nadal sticks away a smash for 15-30 and then lines up a big forehand but goes for just too much, punching his strings in anger. Djokovic plays a great point at 30-30, punishing some short stuff from Nadal with a backhand down the line. An ace seals it and this set continues to teeter on the very edge of a knife.
Nadal 2-6 4-6 5-4 Djokovic *
Nadal muscles his way through a service game to 15, which feels like an absolute breeze in this match, and with three hours gone both men head to their chairs. They should be given trainers on permanent call for each changeover, with oxygen and all manner of magic sponges.
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From Joe via text: "This match is incredible, I just can't go to bed yet! We might be witnessing one of the greatest ever tennis matches. Unbelievable."
FromHarry via text: " A biology lesson at 8.55 tomorrow is going to kill me, but no way am i missing this! COME RAFAAAAAAAAA!! VAMOSSSS!"
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 4-4 Djokovic
My computer is flagging more than either of the players but I'm back to see Nadal challenge successfully to earn a break point at 30-40..... Djokovic has to hit about 15 shots that would be winners against mere mortals before finally making a backhand down the line as an elsatic Nadal scrambles for Spain. A 31-shot epic. Djokovic holds.
Nadal 2-6 4-6 4-3 Djokovic *
Nadal just will not yield here and Djokovic is flagging for the moment. He makes it seven points in a row before Djokovic stops the rot with a backhand return, but Nadal hooks a forehand winner down the line and his box are on their feet as their man charges back to the chair. Ater two hours and 44 minutes, Nadal might just be getting going.
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 3-3 Djokovic
Nadal rips a forehand up the line for 0-30 and Djokovic throws in a double-fault. Three break points for Nadal.... and he sends another forehand up the line, prompting the hitch-kick fist pump. This is a ridiculous tennis match, in a good way.
Twitter
From NixOnline on Twitter: "Break for Djokovic in the third set and what these players are producing is unpredictable yet absolutely incredible! #USOpen #bbctennis"
From dj_ jamesrose1912 on Twitter: "If this finishes in 3 sets, anybody who got an early one will dismiss this as standard and one sided; far from what we're seeing #bbctennis"
Nadal 2-6 4-6 2-3 Djokovic *
Great forehand from Djokovic, great backhand from Nadal, these two going blow for blow right now and umpire Carlos Ramos optimistically asks the crowd to remain quiet. Good luck with that. Nadal fires a service winner at 15-30 and clenches his fist. Another rally for the highlights follows, 27 strokes, the last of which is a great sliced backhand from Nadal for game point. Djokovic then thumps a forehand that Nadal fails to deal with, netting a volley for deuce. Djokovic earns himself a break point with a fizzing forehand.... Nadal saves it with some forehand slugging of his own. Djokovic throws in a brilliant, brilliant drop shot that has Nadal scrambling forwards in vain. Break point two.... and, well, it's yet another storming rally, Nadal's backhand finally going wide. The Spaniard smiles in diselief as he walks back to the chair.
Twitter
From dj_jones7 on Twitter: "One thing you know from nadal is that he will never give a match up. cmon the 5 sets!!! #BBCTennis"
Spain
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 2-2 Djokovic
Two errors in a row from Djokovic give Nadal a lifeline at 15-30, and a backhand into the net from the top seed off a high spinning Nadal forehand makes it 15-40 and two break points.... ace, and then Nadal goes for a lengthy towel session that risks a penalty point after his early warning. Djokovic saves the second break point with a magnificent forehand that dips onto the baseline, and Nadal is not the only one that can't believe it was in. Nadal responds with a huge off-forehand of his own for break point three... Djokovic goes for the serve-volley and plays a pretty poor volley into the net. All square again.
Serbia
Nadal 2-6 4-6 1-2 Djokovic *
I think we had a "Come on!" from Nadal there. Djokovic plays a terrific early rally that finishes with a delicate volley lobbed into the open court before Nadal moves 30-15 up, but a backhand mistake has them at 30-30. Djokvic tees up a forehand and Nadal gets a racquet to it but can't control the response. Break point for Djokovic.... long rally... and Nadal goes wide with the backhand. A first US Open title is very much in sight now for Djokovic.
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 1-1 Djokovic
Some big serving from Djokovic there and it's a speedy love hold, pressure back on Nadal.
Nadal 2-6 4-6 1-0 Djokovic *
Nadal hits one of his best backhands of the day and then pounces on a net cord to hammer a forehand for 40-0. An ace out wide and the champion is back on the march.
Twitter
Daily Mail correspondent Mike Dickson on Twitter: "Credit to Rafa, that third game would have broken lesser men but he still came back. Djoko, though, is a Robocop."
Serbia
* Nadal 2-6 4-6 Djokovic
Djokovic starts with a nice backhand volley and two mistimed forehands have Nadal looking very gloomy at 15-40. Two set points for Djokovic.... and he races out wide to thump a brilliant forehand down the line. Nadal looks to be heading off for a change of something.
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From Greg in Aberdeen via text: "Can't help but feel Djokovic is running away with this match. Quality tennis from Nadal but Djoko is too Strong for him!"
Nadal 2-6 4-5 Djokovic *
Nadal goes to Hawkeye but gets it wrong and he's out of challenges, and a wayward forehand has him at 0-30. The same shot misfires again moments later and it's 15-40, two break points.... Djokovic controls a long rally and Nadal's backhand breaks down as he frames one somewhere off behind the umpire. That could be a tough one to come back from for the champion. Maybe Katy Perry will cheer him up at the changeover.
* Nadal 2-6 4-4 Djokovic
A cross-court backhand and a smash take Djokovic to 30-15, but he then misses on his second bite at a smash and it's 30-30. Djokovic goes to his favourite backhand down the line and Nadal lets out his frustration in the direction of Uncle Toni & co. Djokovic lets him back into the game with a forehand into the net, and Nadal gets a break point when he draws his man into the net and hammers a forehand that nearly knocks Djokovic over. Break point.... and Nadal fires a backhand pass down the line, great shot, and we get a double fist pump. That's a fifth set fist pump normally.
Twitter
Sunday Times correspondent Barry Flatman on Twitter: "Both men get warning from umpire Carlos Ramos for taking too long over serve. Will that make any difference? Of course not!"
Nadal 2-6 3-4 Djokovic *
Nadal looks in real trouble when he plays a poor drop shot into the net but gets himself to 40-15, only to lose another point behind his second serve. Djokovic then ghosts to the net and feathers over a forehand dop volley. Deuce, and he's threatening another break. Djokovic returns smack bang onto the baseline and earns himself his 15th break point of the day.... but a first serve does the job for Nadal and he holds, ensuring we won't get an identical score to the first set.
* Nadal 2-6 2-4 Djokovic
Nadal has an exchange of views with umpire Carlos Ramos at the changeover, not sure what it was about but it didn't seem to be on Serena levels. Djokovic gets himself in a bit of bother with a couple of errors, but a big serve makes it 30-30. It's quickly 40-30, and Djokovic gets a time violation! I'm a bit worried I might get one myself in a minute. It doesn't seem to bother Djoko too much and he holds.
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Eddiemate from Alloa via text: "Game three second set. The greatest game ever? Beating Graf v Sanchez Vicario at Wimbledon? Stunning."
Nadal 2-6 2-3 Djokovic *
Djokovic chops a single-handed defensive backhand over the net and it dips enough to force a volley into the net from Nadal - 0-30, and Nadal stomps back to the baseline pointing to the ball boy for his towel like Lord Sugar giving someone their marching orders. Djokovic nets, but then leans into a second-serve return, much like Sam Stosur did last night, and it's two break points... Nadal double-faults!!!!!!
Twitter
From DanMagan on Twitter: "This is awesome! Early start time for Monday final hopefully means it'll be done before early hours, or maybe not at this rate!" #bbctennis
Glen from Kinsley via text: "This is already a classic. Totally enthralled."
* Nadal 2-6 2-2 Djokovic
Djokovic looks exhausted as he sits on his chair at the changeover but I've got a feeling he'll last. He doesn't hang around on his own serve, holding to love.
Twitter
From sssssarah on Twitter: "Are the Djokovic entourage not wearing their Nole t-shirts anymore? For me, it's the only thing that's missing." #bbctennis
Serbia
Nadal 2-6 2-1 Djokovic *
Deep breath everyone, my first novel.... Djokovic is on the hunt for the immediate break back, as he did in the first set, but at 0-30 Nadal wins a ridiculous 21-shot rally, getting back a Djokovic smash and ultimately outlasting the world number one. Djokovic is not out of this one yet though and at 30-30 arrows a forehand down the line that Hawkeye confirms caught the paint. Break point.... and a long rally ends when Nadal ups the pace on his backhand and catches Djokovic unawares. Nadal battles on but Djokovic is absolutely creaming the returns and after four deuces earns another break point.... Nadal stands firm and takes a tight rally with an off-forehand. Djokovic hammers a backhand return and it's break point... but he nets a backhand. A Nadal backhand error gives up another break point and the umpire then warns him for taking too much time between serves. Nadal moves in and a Djokovic lob goes long. This game has been going for 15 minutes now, and it's a fifth break point for Djokovic... it looks like he's got this one but Nadal gets out of trouble with a great backhand pass. I think I might need a medical timeout myself in a moment. Nadal double faults! Break point six.... and Nadal complains about the lights shining from the coporate boxes. Another epic rally, it's there for Nadal... and he nets a smash! Djokovic breaks and raises his fist in triumph. There should be a trophy just for that game.
Twitter
From SiMHardy on Twitter: "If Geoffrey Boycott was a tennis commentator all Nadal would be hearing would be 'you've got t keep a good line and t length!'"
Spain
* Nadal 2-6 2-0 Djokovic
Nadal wins a pulsating first point and that will do him good. He's turning into Ana Ivanovic with the fist pump after every point. Djokovic gets a smash all wrong in the wind to fall 0-30 behind. Nadal's defence proves solid in the face of a barrage of Djokovic forehands, and the top seed hooks one wide as he goes for too much of an angle. Three break points for Nadal.... he misses with a backhand on the first, my TV switches itself off on the second, but Nadal gets the breakthrough with a brute of a forehand down the line on the third. Massive punch of the air.
Nadal 2-6 1-0 Djokovic *
Good start to the second set from Nadal, who urges himself on loudly while pacing the baseline after getting to 40-0. Uncle Toni is looking a bit more pensive now. His nehpew goes for a running forehand down the line but catches the net, and is happy to see Djokovic net the next return. We get another "Vamos!" as he marches to the chair.
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From anon via text: "Djokovic has to be the biggest entertainer in tennis. His tie break epic vs the dog, his match vs tipsy & the classic against fed were all edge of your seat stuff & now this..."
Serbia
* Nadal 2-6 Djokovic
Djokovic moves comfortably to 40-0, slides into the net and chops away a backhand volley that Nadal can't return. A very impressive set from the world number one and, at the moment, Nadal doesn't look like he has the answers.
BBC Radio 5 Live
2206: Quick update - if you're listening to 5 live commentary, you might need to refresh the page now and click on the new link. If you're listening on an actual radio, it's moved from sports extra to 5 live.
Nadal 2-5 Djokovic *
Djokovic plays a nice drop shot to start the game and Nadal then goes long, although Hawkeye is required to confirm it and the Spaniard has a slightly cross word with umpire Carlos Ramos. It's 0-30, and Djokovic plays a belter of a forehand drop shot, surprising everyone. Three break points... big serve, then a big serve-big forehand combination.... huge cheers from the crowd.... but Nadal then nets a backhand in a strangely timid rally. Three consecutive breaks for Djokovic.
Twitter
Times correspondent Neil Harman on Twitter: "Brilliant tactical play by Djokovic systematically breaking down the Nadal backhand and ploughing forehand winners."
* Nadal 2-4 Djokovic
Djokovic is bossing things from the net as he moves to 30-0, but then finds himself a little out of position and half-volleys into the net before falling off a backhand for 30-30. Nadal has his chance when he lines up a backhand pass but goes just wide, and a relieved Djokovic helpfully raises his finger to confirm it was out. Nadal then muscles a forehand pass for deuce but goes long, and another error gives Djokovic the game.
Hawkeye
Nadal 2-3 Djokovic *
Tournament referee Brian Earley is spotted sitting in a quiet corner. There's a man who needs a holiday. Nadal finds himself in trouble at 15-30 after a double-fault and an error, and Djokovic is pressing hard when his backhand is called out but overruled by the umpire. Hawkeye backs the umpire, but Djokovic then goes long with a forehand on the replayed point. "It's very unlike the world number one to miss short balls," says Jeff Tarango on 5 live sport extra. Cue, rally of the match - Djokovic looks to have won it with a volley down the line but Nadal chases it down and regains the initiative with a forehand of his own. "Vamos!!!" shouts uncle Toni. The game's not over though, and Djokovic works an opening before smacking away a forehand for deuce. The wind is playing a part now and Nadal leaks a backhandwide for break point.... incredible stuff - Djokvic hits forehand after forehand, Nadal is practically in the stands fishing them out, but the Serbian eventually has enough space and finds it. Five games of brilliant, brutal tennis.
Twitter
From jjjlee1988 on Twitter: "This should be another cracking match! I've got a feeling Nadal might just pull this off! #bbctennis"
* Nadal 2-2 Djokovic
A quick manual refresh and you'll see a Serbian arrow, to even things up. Djokovic nets a forehand for 15-15 and when Nadal hits a sensational cross-court forehand that leaps off the court, it's 15-40 and two break points.... Djokovic saves the first with a confident smash behind a good serve, and Nadal then misses with a regulation backhand. The Spaniard comes straight back with a great rally though, whipping a forehand up the line and following it in with a drop volley. Break point number three... ace out wide from Djokovic, who hits a great forehand moments later and then has a Murray-style session of baseline self-analysis. Odd, possibly something to do with the increasing wind. Makes a change from rain. Four games, nearly half an hour.
Serbia
Nadal 2-1 Djokovic *
Djokovic, jolted by that early break, steps up to the baseline and takes charge with the Agassiesque hitting that has made him the best in the world this year. Nadal is being pushed back and Djokovic hits a big forehand winner for 0-30 before Nadal, moving backwards and sideways, sends a backhand wide. Three break points... big serve from Nadal on the first, big forehand on the second, but the Spaniard then blazes one out on the third and Djokovic is back on serve.
Spain
* Nadal 2-0 Djokovic
Djokovic, who has lost just two tennis matches since November, is under pressure at 15-30 after Nadal skips around a backhand to thump a forehand cross-court, and a wayward backhand from the Serbian means it's break point..... Nadal plays a great return right onto the baseline and Djokovic is forced out wide, getting out of position and putting a backhand into the net. Four holds and you're there, Rafa.
Nadal 1-0 Djokovic *
Nadal wins the opening point with a good serve but Djokovic makes it 15-15 with the backhand down the line that has given everyone such trouble in the last year. Nadal then dominates a great rally, moving in to end it with a smash and pumping his fist. Djokovic gets back to 30-30 by turning the tables and firing a forehand deep into the corner. The top seed has a sniff of an early break here but surprisingly makes a forehand error, and Nadal converts game point with a brilliant cross-court backhand. Every game is going to be a battle tonight.
* denotes next to serve
2114: Here we go, 5 live commentary available to the right of this page. Nadal to serve.....
The sun is out
2111: The finalists are out on court, Djokovic came on wearing a New York Fire Department cap and is decked out in Wimbledon white, while Nadal is sticking with the blue that has brought him this far. Carlos Ramos is tonight's umpire. Let's hope he went out for dinner last night and didn't see the women's final. I'm sure he's attractive on the inside anyway. The sun is shining and the Arthur Ashe Stadium is filling up....
Twitter
From quigonsmith on Twitter: "Hoping for a great final tonight. Djokovic is favourite, but if Rafa plays his best he can win. #usopen #bbctennis"
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