Nadal clinches second US Open title by firing Djokovic

The match that tennis fans and casual viewers have been waiting for has finally arrived. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic in the US Open final. The longest rivalry in sport was destined to write another chapter in the history books. With everything at stake, this was expected to be a classic. Boy, we were invited to another memorable finale …

1st game

Djokovic served first and it was clear early on that he was looking to be aggressive. There were some early exchanges that indicated just how physical this match would be. Djokovic was dictating and his aggression penetrated the defense of Nadal, who was already Rock Solid in the first game. An ace closed the game with a 1 love lead.

Nadal’s service game was equally tested and again Djokovic was being quite forceful, this time on the rest. He was able to redirect serves well, even achieving a winning return to force a deuce game. But Nadal did enough to hold out by pulling an error from the Serb.

Djokovic was severely tested in his next service game when Nadal began to be a bit more proactive. The forehand down the line was the first sign of Nadal’s confidence, producing a winner early in the game and then he defended well with his backhand by being patient for a forehand, which he could use to open the point using the angles. A forehand from the inside out ensured that Rafa would go ahead 2-1 with the first break of the game. Nadal consolidated the break 3-1 not without some resistance, including a 27-shot rally that the Mallorcan endured.

2 easy grabs followed and then Nadal took his game to another level. It seemed like everything was going in his favor making incredible shots on defense, including two backhand shots from Novak that completely froze the Serb. To be fair, Djokovic wasn’t playing at his best but he was making too many mistakes, but Nadal wouldn’t let him. Mentally Djokovic already seemed defeated. Nadal had an 8-point streak to lead 5-2 and served the set with alarming ease. 6-2 to the next # 1 in the world.

2nd game

The first set is crucial in this particular match, as the winner of the first set won the match 31 times out of 36 matches. We said the start would be key (mainly for Djokovic), but with how quickly the set went by, maybe it would be easier for the Serb to put disappointment aside. He needed to make something happen quickly in this second set because coming back two sets to tie against Rafa is almost impossible.

Djokovic looked much more intense to start the second set holding on to his best point of the match by being patient and then firing a backhand down the line. The momentum carried over to his comeback game building a 15-40 lead. But sloppy and neglected stitches thereafter allowed Rafa to return. Djokovic tried to reach the net, but it was not in the right moment and he paid the price with an easy backhand pass from Nadal. 1 all

Although he lost that game, the good news for Djokovic was that he was matching Nadal in terms of intensity. It seemed like he was finally ready for battle. His 2-1 dominance underscored that fact when he played another great rally moving Nadal and finally finishing with an incredible volley.

At 3-2, both players were playing well simultaneously, Djokovic played almost the most epic point you’ll see by beating Rafa in a massive 54-shot rally to finally break serve. It looked like Djokovic won that battle but lost the war as he seemed jaded in his next service game offering easy errors that allowed Nadal to return to the set 4-3. Deflated for the Serb to say the least after working so hard.

The quality was definitely at its peak. Another back and forth game took place with Novak in full attack mode and Nadal getting everything back. The forehand was definitely heating up for the Serb and his relentless aggressiveness paid off again when Nadal took advantage of another long play attempting a punch that Novak easily pulled off and hit another backhand for a winner, 5-3. This time, Djokovic kept up the intensity and achieved a 6-3 finish … The backhand on the line was the winning shot.

3rd set

Djokovic was a man on a mission to start the third set playing his best to break Nadal to zero. The return was on fire, especially on the forehand and Rafa seemed unable to get out of defensive mode. Another great game saw Djokovic hold on 2-0.

Nadal had another very tough service game with Djokovic’s offense throwing Nadal tantrums. The forehand did more damage and the Spaniard seemed to be in serious trouble. But in his usual never-say-die attitude, Rafa managed to find creative tennis that featured a punch that totally caught Novak off guard. He got on the board keeping that scoreboard pressure at 2-1.

Both players found easier grips later, but then at 3-2, Djokovic’s level sank enough for Nadal to make his move. Nadal began to make the mistakes he expected and the Spaniard returned to the game with 3 in total. Nadal consolidated comfortably with a slight advantage in terms of momentum. Although Nadal was back, it was mainly due to mistakes by Djokovic. If the Serb has that under control, then you feel like another change was at stake.

The ninth game saw the tension rise as high as it has been. Djokovic was looking to take full control with shots that had Rafa’s knees weak … literally, as he completely lost his balance and fell after a barrage of shots that had him on defense. Somehow Nadal won the game with sheer will and determination from 0-40 down. Djokovic was making those mistakes, but the exchanges were incredibly physical. The New York crowd was being treated with an absolute classic. However, you knew it was going to be a turning point, and it certainly was. Nadal would break again 5-4 to close the set and take a lead of 2 sets to 1. 6-4.

4th set

From here on it was always going to be very difficult for Djokovic, having wasted so many chances. He had even more chances in the first game and couldn’t convert. Djokovic looked mentally beside himself at that stage throwing more errors and Nadal took full advantage of feeling the mental fragility. Nadal broke serve with a great forehand down the line and then consolidated with a more positive game that seemed very confident. The trophy was definitely in sight.

Djokovic got on the board … barely. It seems like he regrouped just in time to stay at contact distance. However, Nadal was on a roll and kept increasing quality and containing a mini challenge from Novak winning another brutal 25-shot rally with a backhand pass. He went ahead 4-1. Two games away from the sweet victory.

The only chance Djokovic had was for Rafa to get nervous in what are surely the final stages of the match. One thing was for sure: there was no more leeway for Djokovic.

The Serb’s chances really were sidetracked when they broke serve a second time with a more sloppy play. Rafa would serve for his 13th Grand Slam title with 5-1.

Rafa was not wrong. Djokovic scored a forehand and Nadal crashed to the ground with joy. Nadal defeats Djokovic 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1. Another great match in the longest rivalry in the game.

The bottom line

Intense doesn’t even begin to sum up this match. An epic battle of wills, a test of mental strength and physical prowess where Nadal emerged victorious … Again. Nadal dominated the Start … Djokovic took over in the middle and sheer will and determination (yes, it bears repeating) saw Nadal finish on top. The biggest turning point was that 0-40 lead that Djokovic let slip … His challenge was essentially over after losing that game, and by extension, the set.

Djokovic, the soon-to-be former # 1 definitely had his chances. Had he gone 4-3 in the third, it could have been a complete setback. But it was going to be Rafa’s day and it’s his year. Without a doubt, he is the best player in the world at the moment.

We give the 2013 US Open final a solid 4 out of 5 rackets.

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