Novak Djokovic closed out the Grand Slam campaign in style, beating long-time rival Roger Federer to claim the US Open title on Sunday, leaving the Serb a hair’s breadth away from one of the greatest seasons of all time.
The 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory gave Djokovic three of the year’s four Grand Slam titles, with a loss to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open final his only blemish.
Although there was no way to tell how big his four-set loss to Wawrinka would be, it ended up denying the Serb a chance to join the men’s calendar year Grand Slam club that includes just two members — Rod Laver (twice) and Don Budge.
Photo: AFP
“It’s been an incredible season. Next to 2011, probably the best season of my life, but I’m enjoying this year more than any previous one because I’m a husband and I’m a father, and that makes it even more sweeter,” said Djokovic, who won the same three Grand Slam titles in 2011. “I love this sport.”
It was the 10th career major for Djokovic, but only his second US Open title.
The 28-year-old Serb had known more frustration than success on the Flushing Meadows hard courts, having previously reached the final five times, but lifting the trophy just once in 2011.
It was more Grand Slam misery for the 34-year-old Swiss, who, for the second consecutive Grand Slam, reached the final only to be denied an 18th title by Djokovic.
“I had a wonderful last two weeks,” Federer, who has been stuck on 17 Grand Slam titles since 2012, said after competing in his first US Open final in six years. “I’m very pleased where my game’s at. Being back in the finals is where you want to be. Playing against a great champion like Novak is a massive challenge and I enjoyed it. I thought it was a great match.”
Meeting for the 42nd time, the rivalry between the elegant Swiss and the dominating Djokovic has developed into one of the sporting world’s best and the latest installment, perhaps fittingly, deadlocked the head-to-head series at 21-21.
While the women’s draw produced an improbable all-Italian final between two players virtually unknown outside of tennis circles, the men’s showcase featured the sport’s two biggest names.
The buzz lacking in Saturday’s women’s final gave way to an electric atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, with David Beckham, Sean Connery and Robert Redford among the many celebrities taking in what turned into a night match after the start was delayed three hours by rain.
When Federer and Djokovic finally took to the court they 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.
However, no damage was done as the unflappable Djokovic quickly regained his composure and balance.
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 Swiss player could not fight off another three break points on his next service game as Djokovic made the breakthrough to go up 2-1.
Federer broke back immediately, but the Serb would quickly regain the advantage with yet another break to move ahead 4-3 then held serve to take the opening set from a shaky Federer.
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, but it was Federer ending the set with a fist pump after breaking Djokovic with a stinging cross-court winner that brought the crowd to its feet.
However, the effort appeared to take something out of Federer as Djokovic, sensing his chance, claimed the crucial break at 5-4 in the next set to take control.
Djokovic kept up the pressure with a break to open the fourth and then again to go up 5-2 and put the US Open title within his grasp, but Federer would not go down without a fight, digging into his reserves to break and hold serve to cut the deficit to 5-4 and put the crowd in full roar.
With Djokovic again serving for the match, Federer created three more break points, but this time the Serb did not falter and he clinched the title when Federer’s return sailed long.
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Shohei Ohtani on Thursday delivered his first two-homer game of the season and had six RBIs as the Los Angeles Dodgers poured it on with five long balls in a 19-2 victory over the visiting Athletics. Max Muncy, Andy Pages and James Outman also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who left no doubt by taking a 13-2 lead following a seven-run third inning. Muncy and Kim Hye-seong each had three hits for Los Angeles. Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer led off a bullpen game by allowing two runs in four innings. Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (1-1) finished with four scoreless innings after he
RSS