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Djokovic Tops Nadal for 1st US Open Title

No.1-ranked player claims third grand slam this year

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 12, 2011 10:04 PM CDT

(AP) – Novak Djokovic matched his nearly perfect season with an almost flawless performance in tonight's US Open final, returning brilliantly and swatting winners from all angles to beat Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1. In a final full of lengthy, mesmerizing points, the No. 1-ranked Djokovic claimed his third Grand Slam trophy of 2011, improving his season record to 64-2 with 10 titles, the AP reports.

"In big matches, the winner is decided by small margins, a couple points," Djokovic said. "I guess the winner is the one who believes in victory more. I've had an amazing year, and it keeps going." Against No. 2 Nadal this season, Djokovic is 6-0, all in finals: three on hard courts, including today; two on clay; and one on grass at Wimbledon. "I'm disappointed, but you know what—this guy is doing is unbelievable," Nadal said.

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during the championship match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during the championship match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Matt Slocum)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after winning the men's championship match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after winning the men's championship match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Number one seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win over number two seed Rafael Nadal of  Spain in the en's final at the US Open tennis tournament September 12, 2011 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Djokovic won 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1.  AFP PHOTO/Stan...
Number one seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win over number two seed Rafael Nadal of Spain in the en's final at the US Open tennis tournament September 12, 2011 at the Billie Jean King National...   (Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Matt Slocum)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during the men's championship match against Rafael Nadal of Spain  at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during the men's championship match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Matt Slocum)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Mike Groll)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during the men's championship match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during the men's championship match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Charles Krupa)
Beyonce Knowles looks at Jay-Z during the men's championship match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Beyonce Knowles looks at Jay-Z during the men's championship match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Charles Krupa)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Mike Groll)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Mike Groll)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011.   (Elise Amendola)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
TiredMemeCat
Sep 13, 2011 4:42 AM CDT
Is there anything more boring than Mens Tennis?  Oh, yeah: Mens Golf.
Hako
Sep 13, 2011 12:26 AM CDT
Go Nole!   You continue to amaze us all.

Copyright 2013 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 

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