Dominant Djokovic too much for Nadal in US Open final

Wednesday, 14 September 2011 17:10

Written by Editor

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic captured his first US Open title by defeating defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1. Djokovic is now 62-2 on the year with 6-0 against Nadal all in finals. Along with the Australian Open and Wimbledon tournament victories, it’s his third major title of 2011.  Djokovic is just the sixth player in the Open Era to complete this feat joining the exclusive club of Rod Laver, Jimmy Connors, Mats Wilander, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic won the first two sets 6-2, 6-4 respectively. Djokovic and Nadal battled like warriors in the third set where Djokovic actually served for the championship at 5-4. He was immediately broken by the Spaniard and the set went to a tiebreak, won by Nadal 7-3.
Djokovic was treated for a back strain with massage and pills three times after the end of the third set. Djokovic dominated the fourth set 6-1, ending the match on a forehand winner.

“I fought until the last point,” said Nadal. “I tried my  best in every moment. I am happy with a lot of things, much happier than the previous matches against him. In other things I’m not that happy. But in general I think he did great. I had my chances. I really had my chances. I always had big trouble beating him here on this surface in the past. It’s not an exception now, especially because he’s doing better than ever. But you know what? I go back home knowing that I am on the way. I like to fight; I want to enjoy this battle against him. Six straight losses, for sure that’s painful. But I’m going to work every day until that changes”.

Womens Final
Samantha Stosur endured the longest women’s match in tournament history in one round and the longest tie breaker in another on her way to the United States Open final.  All the adversity — the tough opponents and Tropical Storms Irene and Lee — steeled Stosur for the worst storm she would have to weather on the way to her first Grand Slam title: another Open outburst by the three-time champion Serena Williams.  Facing break point at 30-40, Williams sent an apparent forehand winner to Stosur’s backhand side. “Come on!” Williams screamed as Stosur stabbed at the ball, making contact. The contact brought into play the hindrance rule. Under the rule, if the distraction is unintentional, like a hat blowing off a player’s head, or a scream from a bee sting, the point is replayed. If the action is deliberate, as in this case, the point is awarded to the opponent.

In Sunday’s final, Stosur defeated Williams, 6-2, 6-3, for her first major championship. She became the first Australian woman to win a major title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley at Wimbledon in 1980.
“I can’t actually believe I won this tournament,” said Stosur, 27. “To go out there and play the way I did is obviously just an unbelievable feeling.”