Updates: Novak vs. Delpo In US Open Final

They have battled for US Open supremacy for the past two weeks and now it is time to decide a champion. Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro are dueling for the title at Flushing Meadows in the final Grand Slam match of 2018. The former World No. 1 leads 6-3, 7-6(4).

Djokovic is bidding to join Pete Sampras in third place among Open Era major title leaders, with 14 victories apiece. He enters a record-tying eighth US Open final having won 13 consecutive sets in New York. Moreover, the Serbian is hoping to clinch a third trophy in the Big Apple, adding to wins in 2011 and 2015. 

Del Potro, meanwhile, is nine years removed from his lone Grand Slam conquest at the US Open. He has dropped just one set en route to the final, where he is bidding to lift his first trophy since the BNP Paribas Open in March. Victory would see the Argentine become the fourth player to punch his ticket to the Nitto ATP Finals in London.

Djokovic leads the FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 14-4 including their most three most recent clashes, all in 2017. He has also prevailed in their two meetings at the US Open, triumphing in the 2007 third round and 2012 quarter-finals.

Here is how the final is unfolding…

Mother nature wreaked havoc on Flushing Meadows throughout the fortnight, with oppressive heat and humidity making for unfavourable conditions. And she would have one last impact on the tournament, with persistent rain showers forcing the closure of the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof for Sunday’s championship. 

Djokovic’s dogged defence has been effective in neutralising the thunderous blows off Del Potro’s racquet throughout their rivalry. Maintaining a high first-serve percentage and an aggressive stance from the baseline is critical for the big-hitting Argentine. 

With both trying to navigate through tricky, slower conditions, they would remain on serve through the first seven games. Del Potro had a 40/0 lead at 4-3, but Djokovic would reel off five straight points to snatch the opening break in stunning fashion. Del Potro tried to hit through the Djokovic defence and break down the Serbian’s game to no avail. A netted backhand would seal the opening set after 42 minutes.

The Serbian’s speed continued to rattle the Tandil native in the second set. An elastic wall from the back of the court, he would secure a quick break for 2-1 behind a whopping 97 per cent of returns made. But Djokovic would finally blink midway through the second, seeing his streak of 23 consecutive holds snapped. A 125 mph ace would suddenly put Del Potro ahead 4-3 as he consolidated his first break of the match. 

With Djokovic’s shots falling short, the Argentine sought to wrestle momentum. But a marathon 20-minute game looked to be the turning point, as Djokovic fought off three break points and stayed the course in the ensuing tie-break. Del Potro’s 22nd forehand unforced error gave the Serbian a pair of set points and he would convert his first. After a gladiatorial 95-minute set, the two-time champion took a commanding two-set lead.