By Toby Prince
Novak Djokovic overcame an in-form Roger Federer and a hostile home crowd on Sunday to clinch his 10th major title with a four-set victory at the US Open.
Federer has been back to his dazzling best at Flushing Meadows and enjoyed the almost complete backing of the American support, but Djokovic showed his iron-will again to win 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4.
The Swiss had won 28 consecutive sets since losing to Djokovic at the Wimbledon final but, just as he had on Centre Court, the 34-year-old failed to find his best against the world number one and his wait for an 18th major title continues.
It means Djokovic has a second US Open title to add to his first in 2011, and he moves just one short of Bjorn Borg in the Open Era’s all-time champions list.
After sealing victory in three hours and 20 minutes, Djokovic turned to his box and pointed to his chest before commiserating with his beaten opponent at the net.
“It’s quite an incredible evening for me,” Djokovic said. “You can only give your best and I was trying to do that knowing he would be aggressive and not drop his level.
“He was always going to take the best out of me and I needed to do that to win this trophy.”
Federer spoke on the support he got from the fans: “They were unbelievable. Were they better than ever? Possibly.”
