Relentless Novak Djokovic wears down Juan Martin del Potro to win US Open
Novak Djokovic proved to be unstoppable in the US Open final as he brushed off Juan Martin del Potro to lift the trophy for a third time.
The Serb took his Grand Slam tally to 14 as he drew level with Pete Sampras in third place, behind Roger Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (17), while it is also the third time he has done the Wimbledon-US Open double.
It was a powerful display from Djokovic as he beat the Argentine 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 in three hours and 16 minutes after being able to resist everything that Del Potro threw at him.
🏆🏆🏆@djokernole defeats Del Potro 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 to win his 3rd title in Flushing Meadows!
He now ties Pete Sampras for third place all-time on the Grand Slam singles titles list with 14.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/xwzzmr22E0
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2018
Del Potro came out all guns blazing, but the lone break in the 43-minute opening set came in game eight, and Djokovic then backed it up with a solid service game.
He turned the screws early in the second set with break on the Del Potro serve in the third game, but the Argentine came roaring back three games late.
The Argentine had another chance to break in game eight, which lasted 20 minutes, but the Serb saved three break points and it eventually went to the tie-breaker.
It was Djokovic who came away with the 95-minute second set as he won the tie-breaker against a Del Potro who was starting to misfire, especially on the forehand.
There was no let-up early in the third set as he went for the jugular in the fourth game as Del Potro started to look a defeated man.
But the 2009 champion somehow managed to find a spark and hit back in the next game only for Djokovic refused to budge and claim the crucial break in game eight.
This time he served it out and fell on to his back as he claim his third title at Flushing Meadows.
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
NewsOlympic chiefs speak to Peng Shuai after WTA pulls all events out of China
The IOC said it is concerned about Peng but is using “quiet diplomacy” to engage with China.
-
Tennis NewsExplainer – Why Emma Raducanu has a real chance to break into the world’s top 10 in 2022
The door is open for Raducanu to make rapid strides forward in the WTA rankings.
-
Tennis NewsJohanna Konta reveals why she decided to call time on her tennis career
Konta has gone into detail over why she decided the time was right to call time on her tennis career.
-
Tennis NewsNovak Djokovic turns on the style to lead Serbia into Davis Cup semi-finals
Djokovic defeated Alexander Bublik before teaming up with Nikola Cacic in the deciding doubles rubber.
-
Tennis NewsDramatic move as WTA suspends all Chinese tournaments amid Peng Shuai concerns
The WTA has withdrawn all of its business with China over ongoing concerns over the safety of Peng Shuai.
-
WTA TourEnd of the road for former British No.1 Johanna Konta as she retires from tennis
Konta has announced her retirement from tennis, with the former British No.1 walking away from the sport at the age of 30.
-
Tennis NewsAustralian official hits back after claim they are ‘blackmailing’ Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is increasingly being drawn into a political battle as the decision on whether he will play in the Australian Open looms large.
-
Tennis NewsComment – Novak Djokovic may be about to become an anti-vaxxer poster boy
The world No.1 and reigning Australian Open champions has refused to confirm whether or not he is vaccinated against Covid-19.
-
Tennis NewsCaptain Leon Smith gives his verdict as Britain crash out of Davis Cup
Britain’s Davis Cup campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals with defeat by Germany in Innsbruck.
-
Tennis FeaturesA look at China’s female tennis stars: From Peng Shuai to Zheng Saisai and Wang Xinyu
China is producing world-class tennis stars and Lucy Roberts takes a look at some of the standout stars.