Nadal crowns brilliant year with US Open title

2013-09-10 09:01

By (Agencies/chinadaily.com.cn)

Nadal crowns brilliant year with US Open title

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men's final match at the US Open tennis championships in New York, Sept 9, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Quality tennis

The quality of tennis rose throughout the match, translating into long rallies, brilliant defense and booming winners that had the center court on their feet roaring their appreciation.

Among the host of celebrities and public figures watching the game, Queen Sofia of Spain was on hand to cheer on Nadal.

Nadal rewarded his fans with a meticulous opening set, winning with relative ease with a pair of service breaks.

The Spaniard, dashing around the court with speed and ease, handled the windy conditions easily, making just four unforced errors to 14 by Djokovic in the first set.

Djokovic turned up the intensity and outslugged Nadal to win the second set.

The top-seeded Serb claimed a rare service break off Nadal in the sixth game, taking a 4-2 lead by winning an exhausting 54-stroke rally when he handcuffed Nadal with a backhand to his feet.

Djokovic raised both arms above his head and shook them in triumph to cheers from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

The Spaniard had held serve in 81 of 82 games on his way to the final.

But that feeling of exultation for Djokovic was short-lived as Nadal broke right back to bring the set back on serve at 4-3.

Djokovic again showed his determination by seizing the advantage in the next game, breaking Nadal with a backhand crosscourt winner and then ending the set on serve in the next game with a backhand winner down the line.

Women's singles title: Serena Williams, United States, world No 1