Novak Djokovic Downs Brave Roger Federer to Win Second US Open Title

OMNISPORT

Novak Djokovic's dominance over Roger Federer continued in the US Open final, the top seed claiming his 10th major title on Sunday.

Djokovic sealed his second crown at Flushing Meadows, and reversed the result of his first major final - against Federer in New York in 2007 - to post a 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 victory.

The result marked the world number one's seventh win over Federer in their past nine major meetings.

Federer missed out on adding to his all-time record 17 majors, with Novak Djokovic joining Bill Tilden in a tie for seventh on that list.

Ultimately, missed chances came back to bite the Swiss - he had 23 break-point opportunities, converting only four.

While eight of those wasted points came in his victorious second set, Federer lost the momentum late in the third when he blew another two, and never really recovered.

Federer denied Djokovic when the latter served for the championship at 5-2 in the fourth set, but the top seed did not blink a second time around despite Federer getting, and wasting, chances yet again.

Federer's serve was flaky in the first set and it cost him, Djokovic overcoming a literal slip-up - he grazed his right elbow - and a figurative one in letting a break lead go to take the opener in 41 minutes.

Djokovic drew blood from that tumble which was not an isolated incident, Federer capitalising on his opponent's misfortune to break - getting a lucky net cord that landed on the baseline to contribute to a Djokovic backhand error on break point for 2-2.

However, Federer faltered again in the seventh game - and while he saved a set point on his own serve, a love hold consolidated Djokovic's early ascendancy.

The second set followed a different script, with Federer the more comfortable of the pair on serve - with the set bookended by some classic games.

Both struggled to hold for 1-1 - Djokovic saving five break points - but from then on, deuce was not called upon until a 15-minute 10th game in which the Serb rallied from set point down twice to hold.

While Federer continued to attack - he unleashed his much-hyped SABR in the second game of the set with a clean winner - his kamikaze attitude saw him blow an open-court forehand long on set point.

However, he got his chance again in the 12th game and took it with one hand - his backhand forcing a Djokovic error to level the contest.

Breaks were exchanged early in the third, Federer wrenching his way back in front after Djokovic claimed a 2-1 break lead.

Djokovic then turned the match on its head following the change of ends after Federer held for 4-3.

The world number one fended off two break points to hold, then saved three game points the Swiss had to earn the chance to serve for a two-sets-to-one lead.

Federer persisted, though, his insistence on attacking anything paying off as he earned two break-back points - only for Djokovic to absorb the pressure, and regain the lead.

Djokovic then took his chance early in the fourth set, Federer unable to consolidate serving first into a lead - the crowd notably subdued as the Serb closed on victory with a double break for 5-2.

While Federer broke back and had points for 5-5, plus a sight on a second serve, Djokovic pulled through in three hours, 20 minutes.