Top-ranked Novak Djokovic has vanquished long-time rival Roger Federer - and a hostile home crowd - to clinch his 10th major title with a four-set victory at the US Open.
Federer had been back to his dazzling best at Flushing Meadows and enjoyed the almost complete backing of the American support, but Djokovic showed his iron-will again to win 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4.
It means Djokovic has a second US Open title to add to his first in 2011, and he moves just one short of Bjorn Borg in the Open era's all-time champions list.
After sealing victory in three hours and 20 minutes, Djokovic turned to his box and pointed to his chest before commiserating his beaten opponent at the net.
"It's quite an incredible evening for me," said Djokovic. "You can only give your best and I was trying to do that knowing he would be aggressive and not drop his level. He was always going to take the best out of me and I needed to do that to win this trophy."
Federer and Djokovic finally took to the court after a three-hour rain delay and were slow to find their rhythm and footing, particularly the top-seeded Serb, who crashed to the surface in the opening set badly scraping his arm and leg.
But the unflappable Djokovic quickly regained his composure and footing.
Federer, broken just twice the entire tournament, was living dangerously from the start by facing three break points in the opening game but managing to save all three.
The Swiss star, however, could not fight off another three break chances on his next service game as Djokovic made the breakthrough to go up 2-1.
Federer broke back immediately, but the Serb quickly regained the advantage with yet another break to move ahead 4-3 then held serve to take the opening set from a shaky Federer.
The second set was a test of wills as Federer, with the crowd squarely in his corner, went toe-to-toe with a defiant Djokovic, the tug-of-war highlighted by a tense 15-minute 10th game which Djokovic held to level at 5-5.
But it was Federer ending the set with a big fist pump after breaking Djokovic with a stinging crosscourt winner that brought to the capacity crowd to its feet.
The effort, however, appeared to take something out of Federer as Djokovic, sensing his chance, claimed the crucial break at 5-4 to take control.
Djokovic kept up the pressure with a break to open the fourth and then again to go up 5-2 to put the title within his grasp.
But Federer would not go down without a fight, digging into his reserves the Swiss would break and hold serve to cut the deficit to 5-4 and put the crowd in full roar at Flushing Meadows.
With Djokovic again serving for the match, Federer would get three more break chances, but this time the Serb would not falter and clinched the title when Federer's return sailed long.
It was more Grand Slam misery for the 34-year-old Swiss who, for the second consecutive major, reached the final only to be denied an 18th title by Djokovic.
(Sky News)
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