Stan Wawrinka once again exhibited his ability to deliver on the biggest stage, capturing the US Open men's singles title from Novak Djokovic with a 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 7-5 6-3 triumph over the world number one.

Although Djokovic - champion at five of the last seven grand slams - started as an understandable favourite at Flushing Meadows, Wawrinka came into Sunday's contest having won his 10 most recent finals and beaten the Serbian en route to his two previous major successes - at the 2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open.

An error-strewn start from the third seed enabled Djokovic to seize the early initiative this time around, but he was ultimately left to rue a host of missed opportunities on break points.

Wawrinka soon found his rhythm, his groundstrokes breathtakingly brilliant at times, and appeared to have the edge both physically and mentally as he closed out victory in three hours and 54 minutes, with Djokovic - whose fitness has come under the microscope in recent months - seemingly hampered by blisters on his feet in what proved the final set.

Djokovic therefore remains tied-fourth with Roy Emerson in the list of slam-winners, with 12 titles to his name, while the new champion in New York joins Andy Murray as a three-time winner of tennis' premier events - Wawrinka now requiring a Wimbledon crown for a career Grand Slam.