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Nadal Wins

September 10, 2013 by · Comments Off on Nadal Wins 

Nadal Wins, Rafael Nadal claimed his second US Open title and 13th Grand Slam crown on Monday when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a lung-busting, big-hitting final.

Novak always brings my game to the limit. He is an amazing player. He will go down as one of the greatest in the sport.

Nadal, 27, added the 2013 trophy to his 2010 triumph, when he completed a career Grand Slam, and gloriously capped a year that has now seen him capture 10 titles and stretch his season record to 60 wins and just three losses.

Monday’s win also earned him a total of $3.6 million ($3.9 million), which takes his career earnings through the $60 million ($65 million) mark and also edged him closer to Roger Federer’s record of 17 majors and put him one behind Pete Sampras.

In the pair’s record-setting 37th meeting, world number two Nadal, who only returned to the tour in February following a seven-month injury lay-off, took his lead over Djokovic to 22-15 as he added the US Open crown to the eighth French Open he claimed in June.

“It’s very emotional. All my team knows what this means to me,” said Nadal.

“Novak always brings my game to the limit. He is an amazing player. He will go down as one of the greatest in the sport.”

For Djokovic, playing in a fourth successive final in New York, it was a devastating defeat in a year which started with a fourth Australian Open title but was followed by a semi-final loss at the French Open to Nadal and a Wimbledon final mauling by Andy Murray.

For the neutrals, however, it was a memorable contest which showcased thrilling athleticism, delicate touch and exhausting, brutal rallies, one of which was fought out over 54 shots.

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