US Open: 14th major title – Novak Djokovic fights down Juan Martin del Potro

Novak Djokovic has also won the US Open 2018 after the tournament in Wimbledon: The Serbian defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the final in three sets.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have to buckle up – because Novak Djokovic is back again. And how: The Serbian defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the final of the US Open after 3:16 hours of play with 6:3, 7:6 (4) and 6:3.

Djokovic is already holding on to 14 Grand Slam victories, most recently beating Wimbledon Kevin Anderson in the final. Nadal has won 17 majors, record holder Federer 20 and with his triumph Djokovic equaled Pete Sampras in the eternal list of the best.

Djokovic, however, scored five points in a row, the last after a rally that was symptomatic of the encounter: careful palpation with the backhand slice until one of the players picked up the pace. And the longer the match lasted, the more likely it was Novak Djokovic. Who finished 6:3 after 50 minutes.

Round two could have started again with a break by Djokovic, del Potro fended off two chances. And still gave his service with a 1:2 frame ball. Until then Novak Djokovic had not allowed a single break point.

After 78 minutes, the Argentinean took a forehand shot along the line. Djokovic initially fought back, but then put a forehand out. Compensation for 3-3 in a stadium that finally seemed to wake up. Djokovic demanded this from his box, which from his point of view was clearly too unagitated.

The eighth game of set two took more than 20 minutes, Djokovic made up for the 4-4 tiebreak, del Potro made a forehand mistake to the 4-5, and Djokovic served for the set win. After 95 minutes alone for this run.

The signs for del Potro were now righteously unfavorable: only twice did the Argentinian make up a 2-0 set deficit. Davis Cup Fianle 2016 against Marin Cilic. And last year in the round of 16 of the US Open against Dominc Thiem. But this time on the other side of the net was the currently best player in the world – and with the break to 3:1, he ensured clear alleged conditions in set three at an early stage.

Del Potro came back in the next game. However, the man from Tandil could no longer counter the break at 3-5. Djokovic used his first match point after 196 minutes. How much the victory meant to the former world number one, one saw after the successful Smash to the conclusion: There sank the winner on the soil of the largest tennis stadium of the world.

Del Potro shed a few tears after the defeat, but had recovered at the award ceremony. It is not easy for him to speak, but he loves the fans as much as they love him. And if there is a player he would give victory to, it would be his good friend Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic first and foremost thanked his family, his team, which had supported him even during the difficult phases. “I had hoped that Pete Sampras would be here,” explained Nole on the court. “He’s my idol.” And he encouraged his opponent in the final: he was sure that Juan Martin del Potro would win another Grand Slam title.

Djokovic had real problems only in his first match against Marton Fucsovics. The Hungarian got along better with the heat, but had to admit defeat in four sets. The later winner also lost a set against Tennys Sandgren, but was never in danger. Afterwards, the later winner plowed through the field without any problems, regardless of whether the opponents were Richard Gasquet, Joao Sousa, John Millman or Kei Nishikori.

With his third success at the US Open after 2011 and 2015, Djokovic celebrated his 15th victory in the 19th duel with del Potro. The 31-year-old from Belgrade will overtake his final opponent in the ATP world rankings on Monday and already appear as third again.