Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open saw the conclusion of this years tournament, and it began with Ash Barty and CoCo Vandeweghe triumphing in the Women’s Doubles Final. This was the first major title for both after previous disappointments in finals.
The main course on the menu for the finale was undoubtedly Juan Martin del Potro (3) v Novak Djokovic (6), del Potro bidding for his second major in his first Grand Slam final since 2009, Djokovic attempting to win his 14th major in his 23rd Grand Slam final.
Djokovic opened proceedings with a service game highlighted by a forehand winner and quick movement around the court, importantly closing in on the net when appropriate.
del Potro started methodically, and with the backhand working well, was comfortable in reaching 2-2.
Djokovic was the first player taken to deuce, but neither was threatened with a break point through the first seven games.
The Argentine was landing a phenomenal percentage of first serves into play, which was entirely necessary, considering the even bigger ratio of returns that Djokovic was making.
In game eight, Djokovic errors and an Argentine ace resulted in three game points for Juan Martin. Two forehands pushed long by del Potro, plus a tremendous forehand from Djokovic, turning defence into attack and forcing his opponent to punch a forehand into the net, sent the score to deuce.
Another brilliant return put del Potro under pressure, resulting in an error, and the first break point of the match. It was converted, and Djokovic served out the set to lead 6-3.
Novak rode the momentum, a wonderful backhand volley finishing the opening rally of set two, with a thrilling forehand down the line to follow. del Potro stood firm, and an ace drew him level at 30-30. A winning Serb forehand and deuce. A backhand down the line pass and break point. del Potro was saved, that break point and another both unconverted. He led 1-0.
Djokovic held without any trouble, then struck hard, breaking del Potro, after trailing 30-15. A stunning lob-overhead combination set things in motion for Novak, and he was ahead 2-1.
Against the run of play, the tall South American won three straight games from 1-3, breaking Djokovic in game six, the serve and forehand now more damaging.
Game eight was epic. After leading 30-15 and 40-30, Djokovic was taken to deuce after missing an easy volley.
Break point after a del Potro backhand winner. Saved. Game point saved. Break point #2 after a del Potro winning forehand. Saved. Game point #2 saved after a double fault. Game point #3 saved. Game point #4 saved. Break point #3 after Djokovic found the net. Saved with a forehand volley. Game point #5 was converted and it was 4-4. The game lasted over twenty minutes.
The set was decided in a tie break, where del Potro let a 3-1 lead slip. Djokovic won six of the next seven points, taking the set 7-6(4).
Novak broke serve in game four of the third set, and could see the finish line. His return of the del Potro serve was unbelievable, even for the best returner of all time.
Resilience was strong from Juan Martin under the circumstances, and he broke back in the following game for 2-3.
The next two games were service holds, but Djokovic landed the killer blow in game eight, ending the fighting resistance of del Potro, whose double fault brought up two break points.
A wide Argentine backhand and Djokovic could serve for the championship at 5-3.
This he managed, for the loss of two points, finishing fittingly with a pair of winning forehands.
Novak Djokovic won his third US Open and 14th major, tying Pete Sampras on that total, 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3. Each time he has captured this title, it has been on the back of a Wimbledon success (2011 and 2015 previously)
Simply, the Serb superstar is playing the best tennis of anyone on the men’s circuit after a slow start to 2018 coming back from injury.
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