Novak Djokovic Vs. Rafael Nadal LIVE UPDATES: U.S. Open Men's Final
The oft delayed but thoroughly enjoyable 2011 U.S. open will come to a close on Monday afternoon with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic squaring off against No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the men's final. Nadal reached the final after dispatching Andy Murray in one semifinal. Djokovic arrives by way of a thrilling five-set triumph over Roger Federer.
Stay here for live updates and commentary throughout the match and send tweets to @HuffPostSports if you want to join in the conversation.
Having toppled both Federer and Nadal en route to his first U.S. Open trophy, Novak Djokovic has solidified his spot as the No. 1 in the world right now. Not only could his comeback win over Federer eventually be looked upon as the end of an era but Djokovic has undeniably established his dominance against Nadal.
In the Final, Djokovic roared to two set lead before Nadal managed to force him into a tie-break in the third set. It appeared that some combination of physical and mental troubles sapped him off his effectiveness late in the third set and early in the fourth. Nevertheless, Djokovic regained control and played splendidly down the stretch to smother Nadal's nascent comeback bid.
Djokovic has now won 64 out of 66 matches that he has played in 2011, winning three Grand Slam events along the way. He can now set his sights on John McEnroe's landmark 1984 campaign where he posted an 82-3 record.
| @ jon_wertheim : Nadal signing autographs as he leaves the court. Speaks volumes |
| @ erikmal : In Roman times, he'd be called Novak Djokovic Federericus Nadalicus. #novaktheconqueror |
| @ darrenrovell : Top career earnings: Federer ($61.1M), Nadal ($43.6M), Sampras ($43.2M), Serena ($35.6M), Agassi ($31.1M), Djokovic ($30.3M) |
| @ SportsCenter : Novak Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 to win the @usopen championship |
| @ OliverKayTimes : Happy to leave tennis to @NeilHarmanTimes, but what a performance from Djokovic to win #usopen. Breathtaking. And with a dodgy back ... |
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| @ erikmal : Novak Djokovic stands alone. What an incredible moment for men's tennis. |
| @ richarddeitsch : Mark it down: At 8:24 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2011, Novak Djokovic solidified the the greatest single-season in men's tennis history. |
Having come back against Federer in the semifinal and now run by Nadal in the final, Novak's 2011 dream continues. He has just two losses on the ledger all year long and can continue to track John McEnroe's 1948 mark.
He's got a long uphill climb now and he doesn't seem to have the legs for it. Quickly down 0-40.
And now Nadal is grabbing a leg safter losing that one. He then more or less gives up on next point to go down 40-0. Had anyone else watch a shot sailed by I don't think it would have seemed odd. But for him it does.
But trails 3-1 in fourth set. Djokovic has the ball and the first point of fifth game.
Nadal cruising on his serve in this one. Or is Djokovic happy to chillax and just serve this one out himself?
I'd say that Nadal MUST have this one, but he's already dropped several I thought he needed.
| @ annkillion : Gamesmanship by Novak with the medical timeout to interrupt Rafa's growing momentum? Back looks pretty good! |
| @ ZachLowe_SI : Love when Rafa puts his head down b/c he knows he just has to run. |
Djokovic takes control of his service game. If he makes break stand then, maybe, for real, he'll Nadal on ropes.
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First Posted: 09/12/11 05:00 PM ET Updated: 11/12/11 05:12 AM ET