Ben Solomon for The New York Times

Rafael Nadal has finally conquered New York. After years of struggling and failing to reach the finals at the United States Open, he ran away with the tournament, cruising through the semifinals without dropping a set and then willing himself to victory in a spectacular final against world No. 2 Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

With his first Open title and ninth major championship over all, Nadal completed a career Golden Slam. He had previously won the French Open five times, Wimbledon twice, and the Australian Open once. He also won Olympic gold in Beijing.

Many fans here were hoping for a historic final between Nadal and Roger Federer, the five-time Open champion with whom the Spaniard has clashed in multiple epic battles, including a Wimbledon final that many consider the best tennis match ever played. But Federer fell in a thrilling five set semifinal to Djokovic. In place of the contrasting styles of the balletic Federer and the muscular Nadal, spectators were treated to long baseline rallies between two of the fastest players on the planet.

“Right now he’s the best player in the world and he absolutely deserves this title,” Djokovic said after the match. “Hopefully one day I will have the chance to fight again for this trophy.”

As in his semifinal win over Federer, Djokovic played fearless tennis, going for winners whenever possible. But point after point Nadal absorbed his best shots, forcing the 23-year-old Serb to come up with near-impossible power and accuracy to stay in games.

On one of the best points of the match, Djokovic lunged for a difficult touch volley, drawing Nadal to the net, and then pushed him back with a perfect lob volley that kissed the baseline. Nadal raced back, spinning to hit a forehand at Djokovic, who volleyed to his backhand corner. Still on the run, Nadal, the perpetual motion machine, whipped a cross-court backhand passing shot.

“He has the capabilities already now to become the best player ever,” Djokovic said in a post-match interview. He said he was well-rested and physically ready for the final, after rain postponed the match to Monday. “I had two days, and I was motivated to win this match, and, you know, this is one of the matches where the opponent plays better than you, and you just have to congratulate him and tell him, you’re better.”

“I don’t think I played a bad match over all. It was very good performance from my side,” he added.

Despite the loss, Djokovic showed why he is a two-time finalist here and a Grand Slam champion (he won the Australian Open in 2008).

“You gonna win this trophy very soon. I’m sure of that,” Nadal said to Djokovic after the match.

In the final game, Nadal pursued every ball as if feeling how close he was to accomplishing his dream. He earned a match point with a running forehand passing shot that his tremendous topspin brought down on the outside edge of the baseline. When Djokovic’s forehand sailed wide, Nadal collapsed face down on the hard court surface that had baffled him for years.

The world No. 1 couldn’t wait to get his hands on the trophy: “In a few seconds in my hands will be,” he said, smiling broadly.

— Thomas Lin



Original Post: Men’s final, take two. For the third year in a row, the men’s final was postponed on Sunday because of rain or its aftereffects. Today, finally, the skies are clear and top-seeded Rafael Nadal and third-seeded Novak Djokovic, now No. 2 in the rankings after defeating Roger Federer on Saturday, are on court to decide the United States Open championship. Today I will be joined by Geoff Macdonald, who will be analyzing the match from Nashville, and Gerry Marzorati and Kathleen McElroy, who will be reporting from the stands in Arthur Ashe Stadium. — Thomas Lin

