Djokovic Wins 54-Shot Rally, Nadal Wins U.S. Open [Video]
Novak Djokovic may have won the battle (a marathon 54-shot rally battle) but Rafael Nadal won the U.S. Open.
Nadal was able to get the better of the No.1 ranked player in the world today winning the U.S. Open 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. It is Nadal’s 13th Grand Slam Title and his second U.S. Open.
Nadal said: “Playing against Novak is a very special feeling. Nobody brings my game to the limit like Novak.”
And Nadal and Djokovic definitely tested their limits. The match lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes and included one grueling 54 shot rally.
Of course, Nadal and Djokovic are used to playing marathon matches against each other. The Huffington Post notes that one of their longest matches, and the longest in Grand Slam final history, clocked in at nearly 6 hours at the 2012 Australian Open.
Djokovic said: “He was too good. He definitely deserved to win this match today and this trophy… Obviously disappointing to lose a match like this.”
This was the third time that Nadal and Djokovic have met in the finals of the U.S. Open. Nadal won the first match in 2010 but Djokovic won the rematch a year later.
Here’s the video of the 54-shot rally from the U.S. Open Final.
The point earned a standing ovation at Arthur Ashe Stadium and a round of applause on Twitter.
That rally reminded of the 1st video game in the late 70’s Pong
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) September 9, 2013
Omg! What a freaking point!!! @usopen
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) September 9, 2013
This level of tennis is a JOKE!!! I didn’t hit 54 groundstrokes in the whole tournament let alone one rally! #farce#scandalous
— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) September 9, 2013
