US Open: Djokovic triumphs, picks up 14th Grand Slam title
It is the Serb’s 14th Grand Slam singles title — tying with Pete Sampras for third all time — and his second consecutive Major win, following his Wimbledon triumph earlier this year.
Published : Sep 10, 2018 07:42 IST
Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 at the US Open championship on Sunday, picking up his third title at Flushing Meadows.
It is the Serb’s 14th Grand Slam singles title — tying with Pete Sampras for third all time — and his second consecutive Major win, following his Wimbledon triumph earlier this year.
The sixth seed played a far more superior game than World No. 3 del Potro, who was in his first Grand Slam final after he won the title in 2009.
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Djokovic held nerve through crucial moments — including a 20-minute, 22-point game in the second set — and pulled through. del Potro's searing forehands were no match for Djokovic, whose excellent court coverage and trademark body-splits made him get to every ball shot at him.
“Of course I'm sad that I lost,” del Potro said. "But I'm happy for Novak and his team. They deserve to win.''
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Speaking on his tie with Sampras, Djokovic said, “I was hoping he was going to be here, but he's not. He’s my idol. Pete, I love you.”
A year after missing the U.S. Open because of an elbow injury, Djokovic has reasserted himself back into being the best.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN Novak Djokovic [6] bt Juan Martin del Potro [3] 6-3 7-6 [7-4] 6-3 WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS Djokovic - 32/38 Del Potro - 31/47 ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS Djokovic - 1/2 Del Potro - 6/1 BREAK POINTS WON Djokovic - 4/7 Del Potro - 2/6 FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE Djokovic - 63 Del Potro - 64 PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE Djokovic - 68/59 Del Potro - 67/50 TOTAL POINTS Djokovic - 111 Del Potro - 96 |