Legends of Sports

Novak Djokovic's incredible year of domination continued as he beat defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-1 to win the US Open. The world number one had beaten his rival in each of their earlier five meetings this season, all finals, and got the great start at Flushing Meadows as a run of six successive games saw him take the opening set.

And although Nadal, who beat Djokovic in last year's final, battled his way back into the match in the third set in particular, every time it seemed he might be getting the upper hand his opponent upped his game still further. It was a fourth grand slam title for Djokovic and the third of an unexpected 2011 in which he has won 64 out of 66 matches.

Djokovic looked set for a more comfortable win when he led 6-5 in an epic third set featuring many breaks of serve, only to be broken again and forced into a tie-break. Nadal stormed into a 5-1 lead and, after Djokovic dragged it back to 5-3, some doubtful shot selection from the Serbian gave Nadal three set points, the first of which he converted when Djokovic powered a forehand into the net.

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