Novak Djokovic wins the US Open

Novak Djokovic's incredible year of dominance continued as he beat defending champion Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-1 to win the US Open.

The world number one had beaten his rival in each of their previous five meetings this season, all finals, and got the perfect start at Flushing Meadows as a run of six consecutive games saw him take the opening set.

And although Nadal, who beat Djokovic in last year's final, battled his way back into the match in the third set in particular, every time it seemed he might be getting the upper hand his opponent upped his game still further.

It was a fourth grand slam title for Djokovic and the third of an extraordinary 2011 in which he has won 64 out of 66 matches.

Djokovic looked set for a more comfortable win when he led 6-5 in an epic third set featuring numerous breaks of serve, only to be broken again and forced into a tie-break.

Nadal stormed into a 5-1 lead and, after Djokovic dragged it back to 5-3, some questionable shot selection from the Serbian gave Nadal three set points, the first of which he converted when Djokovic powered a forehand into the net.

Djokovic received treatment for an apparent back problem before the start of the fourth set and took a full medical time-out after holding serve in the opening game.

But with everything now seemingly in Nadal's favour, Djokovic defied the odds to break for a 2-0 lead on his fifth break point - his second having gone begging when a broken string sent a forehand sailing long.

The Serb was rejuvenated and broke Nadal again in the sixth game for a 5-1 lead and a second chance to serve out for the title.

This time there was to be no mistake and a forehand winner sealed a dramatic victory.

"It's an incredible, incredible feeling," Djokovic said. "I've had an amazing year and it keeps going but every time I play Rafa it's a big challenge and I want to congratulate him on a great tournament.

"I wish we have many more tough matches in upcoming years."

Nadal paid tribute to Djokovic, adding: "Obviously I'm disappointed but this guy is doing unbelievable things so congratulations Novak and your team for everything. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat.

"I try my best in every moment, these kind of matches are very difficult, it brings your body to the limit.

"I tried to play great but he always makes a fantastic comeback. That's tennis, I tried my best and am happy with what I did. I ran to every ball and fought until the last ball.

"This year I lost a lot of finals against him but I won a lot in the past and the only thing I can do is try my best every day to keep improving and for sure I will come back next year and try my best."

NOVAK DJOKOVIC FACTFILE

1987: Born May 22 in Belgrade.

1999: Joins the Nikola Pilic academy in Munich, Germany.

2006: June - Reaches French Open quarter-finals, where he is beaten by David Nalbandian.

July - Wins first title at the Dutch Open in Amersfoort.

2007: February - Wins the Miami Masters to climb into the world's top 10.

June - Reaches the French Open semi-finals, losing to eventual champion Rafael Nadal.

September - Loses the US Open final to Roger Federer in straight sets.

December - Ends the year as world number three.

2008: January - Wins Australian Open after defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 (7/2) in the final, becoming first Serbian to claim a singles grand slam title.

June - Loses to Nadal in straight sets in semi-finals of the French Open.

July - Crashes out in the second round at Wimbledon to Marat Safin.

August - Wins bronze medal in singles at Beijing Olympics.

September - Loses to Federer in US Open semi-finals.

2009: January - Cannot successfully defend Australian Open title as he retires in fourth set of quarter-final against Andy Roddick citing heat exhaustion, muscle cramps and soreness.

July - Loses to Tommy Haas in quarter-finals at Wimbledon.

September - Defeated by Roger Federer in semi-finals of US Open.

2010: January - Knocked out by Tsonga in five sets in quarter-finals of Australian Open, but still moves up to career-high number two in the rankings.

June - Loses in five sets to Jurgen Melzer in French Open quarter-finals.

July - Loses to Czech Tomas Berdych in straight sets in Wimbledon semi-finals.

September - Loses in four sets to Nadal in US Open final, having beaten Federer in a thrilling five-set semi-final.

December - Helps Serbia win Davis Cup for the first time with a 3-2 victory over France in the final in Belgrade. Ends the year ranked third in the world.

2011: January - Beats Federer in semi-finals of Australian Open to set up meeting with Andy Murray in the final. Crushes Murray 6-4 6-2 6-3.

June - After adding titles at Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Belgrade, Madrid and Rome, to start the year with 41 straight victories, Djokovic's winning run comes to an end when he loses to Federer in the French Open semi-finals.

July 1 - Beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets to reach first Wimbledon final. Victory also means Djokovic will overtake Nadal to become world number one.

July 3 - Beats Nadal 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 in the final to win his first Wimbledon title.

September 12 - After saving two match points before beating Federer in the semi-finals, Djokovic beats Nadal in four sets in the US Open final for his third grand slam title of the year and 64th win from 66 matches.