NEW YORK (CNN) — With Serena Williams chasing the Grand Slam — then being on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets in tennis history — Roger Federer playing some of the finest tennis of his illustrious career and Flavia Pennetta unexpectedly announcing her retirement after winning the women’s final, no one was really talking about Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open.
Maybe that’s why the normally jovial Serb was a little grumpier than usual during the fortnight in New York.
But Djokovic had the last word at the year’s last major Sunday, defeating Federer 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 — disappointing the majority of fans assembled at Arthur Ashe stadium — to cap one of the best seasons in grand slam history.
The finale pushed back by three hours due to rain, the contest began at about 7:15 p.m. local time, making for an impromptu night session.
And New York sure loves its night sessions.
On this occasion, perhaps the combatants didn’t.
Sweltering heat
What unfolded was tense, turbulent tennis, no doubt thanks in part to cooler, slower conditions that particularly didn’t do Federer any favors. It was by no means chilly, but the sweltering heat of the first week and a half dissipated.
Djokovic hardly looked comfortable most of the affair, while Federer will rue going 4-for-23 on break points. His forehand crumbled on pivotal points and the ultra-aggressive tactics he employed — with success — in the past months fizzled against the world’s top-ranked player.
In the first three sets, Federer’s forays to the net failed to lead to much success.
For all the discussion of Williams, and it was justifiable, Djokovic ends 2015 with a better record at majors than the American, 27-1 compared to 26-1. If it wasn’t for Stan Wawrinka at the French Open, the 28 year old would be departing the Big Apple as the first man to achieve the Grand Slam since Australia’s Rod Laver in 1969.
10th slam
He’ll take three in a season, matching his 2011 haul, especially since it gave Djokovic a landmark 10th major. Forecasting the final tally of Grand Slams for the “Big Four” has become de rigueur in recent years, with the bulk of the attention restricted to whether Rafael Nadal can tie Federer’s men’s record of 17.
But now, with Nadal slumping and Djokovic soaring, the latter needs four majors to draw level with the Spaniard.
Federer hadn’t surrendered a set since losing in the Wimbledon final in four sets to Djokovic, introducing his controversial SABR — sneak attack by Roger — tactic and serving with aplomb. Some were saying Federer, ranked second, was playing the best tennis of his career.
Once again, though, it was Djokovic who stopped him.
Although Federer defeated Djokovic last month on Cincinnati’s slicker hard courts, he has now lost seven of their last nine grand slam duels.
A retractable roof will be in place in time for next year’s tournament, so perhaps the precipitation Sunday afternoon was Mother Nature’s parting gift. Rain, mind you, also affected finals from 2008-2012.
Federer signaled his intent with an ace down the middle on the first point, initiating a roar from the spectators who were chuffed to finally see tennis.
Nasty spill
Djokovic struggled with his footing throughout and took a nasty spill as he attempted to consolidate a break in the first. Running down a Federer volley at 0-15, he slipped changing directions. Djokovic was fortunate not to roll an ankle, yet the damage was done with a scraped elbow, back of his hand and leg.
Rattled, Djokovic surrendered his serve for 2-2 and Federer duly held to love.
Visited by the trainer during a changeover after the fifth game, Djokovic seemed to settle and re-established his advantage, twice breaking the Swiss.
The SABR, when Federer authors a half-volley, or close to it, backhand return on his opponent’s second serve, made its debut in the match in the second game of the second set, when he blew five of the break points. Becker said during his day, in the 1980s, if a player tried that, they’d have been plunked by the server.
No one has come close to doing that to Federer, but Djokovic’s reply to the ploy later in the second — a sumptuous backhand lob — was perfect.
Federer’s serving difficulties eased in the second, a contrast to Djokovic.
In an absorbing 10th game lasting more than 13 minutes, Federer squandered a set point with Djokovic well stranded. The latter was mightily relieved.
Such a gaffe against Djokovic would usually be insurmountable, but Djokovic didn’t take advantage of his opportunity.
When Federer misfired on another forehand on set point at 6-5, the backhand — for so long considered his less potent side — came to the rescue. A crosscourt drive gave Djokovic little chance.
Momentum
Federer leaped in celebration and the New York crowd lapped it up.
He enjoyed the momentum and despite conceding serve at 1-1 — the forehand, once again, came unstuck — Djokovic donated two double faults, one on game point, and it was 2-2.
Neither player was producing vintage stuff, the miscues mounting. Holding break points after Djokovic led 40-0 on serve in the eighth game, the forehand faux pas from Federer ensued.
Seizing the initiative for 5-4, Djokovic duly trailed 15-40 on serve but held, a service winner and backhand error taking matters to deuce.
This time there was no rallying from Federer. Deflated, he was broken to begin the fourth.
To seal Federer’s break-point misery, Djokovic fended off three break chances in the final game.
A return rifled long from Federer, Djokovic grabbed his second U.S. Open title after losing four of his previous five finals in the Big Apple.
This report was first published on CNN.com, “U.S. Open 2015: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer for 10th major”
