The match that tennis fans and casual spectators have been waiting for is finally here. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic in the US Open final. The longest rivalry in the sport was destined to write another chapter in the history books. With everything on the line, this was expected to be a classic. Boy, we were treated to another memorable final…

1st set

Djokovic served first and it was clear from the start that he was looking to be aggressive. There were some early exchanges that indicated how physical this match was going to be. Djokovic was dictating and his aggression penetrated Nadal’s defense, which was already Rock Solid in the first game. An ace closed the game with an advantage of 1 love.

Nadal’s service game was similarly tested and again Djokovic was being quite forceful, this time on return. He was able to redirect serves well, even hitting a return winner to force a deuce game. But Nadal did enough to hang on by pulling an error out of the Serb.

Djokovic was severely tested in his next service game as Nadal started to be a bit more proactive. The forehand down the line was the first sign of Nadal’s confidence, producing an early game winner and then defending well with his backhand being patient for a forehand, which he could use to open up the point using the angles. An inside-out forehand ensured that Rafa would go ahead 2-1 with the first break of the match. Nadal consolidated the break 3-1 not without some resistance, including a rally of 27 shots that the Mallorcan held.

2 easy holds followed and then Nadal took his game to another level. Everything seemed to be going in his favor as he made incredible shots on defense, including two backhand shots from Novak that completely froze the Serb. To be fair, Djokovic wasn’t playing at his best but he was making too many mistakes, but Nadal wouldn’t let him. Mentally Djokovic already seemed defeated. Nadal rode an 8-point run to take a 5-2 lead and served out the set with alarming ease. 6-2 to the soon to be #1 in the world.

2nd set

The first set is crucial in this particular match, as the winner of the first set won the match 31 times out of 36 meetings. We said the start would be key (mostly for Djokovic), but with how quickly the set went by, maybe it would be easier for the Serb to put disappointment aside. He needed to make something happen fast in this second set because coming back from two sets to draw against Rafa is almost impossible.

Djokovic looked much more intense to start the second set holding on with his best point of the match by being patient and then firing a backhand down the line. The momentum led to the construction of his return game has 15-40 advantages. But sloppy and sloppy points from then on allowed Rafa to come back. Djokovic tried to get to the net, but it was not at the right time and he paid the price with an easy backhand pass from Nadal. 1 all

Although he lost that game, the good news for Djokovic was that he was matching Nadal in terms of intensity. He looked like he was finally ready for battle. His 2-1 dominance underlined that fact as he played another great rally moving Nadal and finally finishing with an incredible volley.

At 3-2, both players were playing well simultaneously, Djokovic played just about the most epic point you’ll ever see beating Rafa in a massive 54-shot rally to finally break serve. It looked like Djokovic won that battle but lost the war, as he looked jaded in his next service game delivering easy errors that allowed Nadal to get back into the set 4-3. Deflated for the Serb to say the least after working so hard.

The quality was definitely at its peak. Another back-and-forth game took place with Novak in all-out attack mode and Nadal getting everything back. The forehand was definitely heating up for the Serb and his relentless aggressiveness paid off again as Nadal capitalized on another long rally attempting a shot that Novak landed with ease and hit another backhand for a winner, 5-3. This time Djokovic kept up the intensity and made it to a 6-3 finish… The backhand down the line was the winner.

3rd set

Djokovic was a man on a mission to start the third set playing his best to break Nadal to love. The return was on fire, especially on the forehand and Rafa couldn’t seem to get out of defensive mode. Another great game saw Djokovic hold on 2-0.

Nadal had another very tough service game with Djokovic’s offense giving Nadal tantrums. The forehand did more damage and the Spaniard seemed to be in serious trouble. But in his usual never-say-die attitude, Rafa managed to come up with creative tennis that included a strike that totally caught Novak off guard. He got on the board keeping that pressure on the scoreboard at 2-1.

Both players found easier holds subsequently, but then, at 3-2, Djokovic’s level sank enough for Nadal to make his move. Nadal started making the mistakes he expected and the Spaniard came back into the match with 3 in total. Nadal comfortably consolidated with a slight edge in terms of momentum. Although Nadal was back, he was mainly due to Djokovic’s mistakes. If the Serb has that under control, then he feels like another change was on the cards.

Game nine saw the tension rise as high as it has been. Djokovic was looking to take total control with shots that had Rafa weak in the knees…literally, as he completely lost his balance and went down after a barrage of shots that had him on defense. Somehow Nadal won the game with sheer will and determination from 0-40 down. Djokovic was making those mistakes, but the exchanges were incredibly physical. The New York crowd was being treated to an absolute classic. However, you knew it was going to be a turning point, and it certainly was. Nadal would break again at 5-4 to close out the set and take a 2-set lead at 1. 6-4.

4th set

From here it was always going to be very difficult for Djokovic, having wasted so many chances. He had even more chances in the first game and couldn’t convert. Djokovic looked out of his mind mentally at that stage throwing more errors and Nadal made the most of it by sensing the mental fragility. Nadal broke serve with a great forehand down the line and then cemented himself with more positive play that seemed very confident. The trophy was definitely in sight.

Djokovic got on the board…barely. Looks like he bunched up just in time to stay within contact distance. However, Nadal was on a roll and kept raising the quality and holding off a mini-challenge from Novak winning another brutal 25-shot rally off a backhand pass. He was ahead 4-1. Two games away from sweet victory.

The only chance Djokovic had was for Rafa to get flustered in what is surely the closing stages of the match. One thing was certain: there was no more room for maneuver for Djokovic.

The Serb’s chances really went off the rails when he was broken for the second time with more sloppy play. Rafa would serve for his 13th Grand Slam title at 5-1.

Rafael was not wrong. Djokovic netted a forehand and Nadal hit the ground with glee. Nadal defeats Djokovic 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1. Another great match in the longest rivalry in the game.

The bottom line

Intense doesn’t even begin to sum up this match. An epic battle of wills, a test of mental toughness and physical prowess where Nadal emerged victorious… Again. Nadal dominated the Start… Djokovic took over in the middle and sheer will and determination (yes, it bears repeating) saw Nadal finish on top. The biggest turning point was that 0-40 lead that Djokovic let slip…his challenge was essentially over after losing that game and, by extension, the set.

Djokovic, the soon to be former #1 definitely had his chances. Had he broken at 4-3 in the third, it could have been a complete setback. But it was going to be Rafa’s day and it is his year. Without a doubt he is the best player in the world right now.

We give the 2013 US Open Final a solid 4 out of 5 rackets.