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U.S. Open 2015: Novak Djokovic Caps Off Incredible Season

By Gabriel Gonzalez

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Sep 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the championship trophy in Central Park the day after winning the 2015 U.S. Open tennis tournament. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

In what will likely be praised as the greatest match of the 2015 season, Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to win his second U.S. Open 2015 title in Flushing Meadows, New York.

After being delayed by rain for three hours, fans were treated to the electric energy of a New York night match for the U.S. Open 2015 Final.

Coming in as the top ranked players in the world, neither disappointed.

The first set saw incredible play by both players as Federer’s serving was matched by solid returns from Djokovic who got the break to take the set at 6-4.

In comparison, the second set was arguably some of the best tennis seen all year as Djokovic broke Federer’s serve early only to lose the break on the following game.

Both held serve in one-sided fashion, neither facing a break point for the majority of the set.

Notably, the Saber technique that had gotten Federer much attention during the match was negated twice by Djokovic who countered by lobbing shots over the Swiss on two points in the same game.

While Federer used the strategy successfully several times in the match, he did not use it for much of the second set.

The stakes rose as Federer earned several break chances on 4-5 in what the most tense game of the match.

After over 15 minutes of play, the Serb was able to hold on to gain a crucial hold to even at 5-5.

Exhibiting the poise that led him to 17 Major titles, Federer went on to win the next service game before earning another break opportunity at 5-6.

Despite solid play from Djokovic, Federer earned the break to take the set 6-7 to electrify the gathered crowd.

Sep 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia (right) shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland after the men

The third set began the same as the second as the two exchanged breaks early again in the second set.

Mid-way through, Federer gained several more of the 23 break opportunities he had earned throughout the match and threatened to take control of the match.

Despite the incredible play of the five-time U.S. Open champion, Djokovic simply played at a higher level to hold serve.

Facing a very pro-Federer crowd, the Serb earned another break to win the third set at past 10:00pm Eastern time.

While the stands of Arthur Ashe stadium audibly tried to will Federer to a fifth set, Djokovic remained focus in breaking the Swiss in the opening game and again at 4-2 for a chance to serve for the championship.

In a sequence that shocked the 20,000+ crowd, Federer held on to break Djokovic’s serve for the fourth time in 22 tries.

When the Swiss Maestro held on to bring the set to 5-4, it appeared as if Federer was on the verge of pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in U.S. Open history.

Serving for the set, Djokovic saved a final break point from Federer.

The Serb needed only one championship point to win the match as Federer’s forehand went wide to give the number one ranked player his second U.S. Open championship.

The victory gave Djokovic his third Grand Slam title in 2015, adding to his Australian Open and Wimbledon titles this year.  It was also the first time that Djokovic reached the finals of all four Majors in his career.  His one setback was in the final of the French Open to Stan Wawrinka that denied him the Career Grand Slam.

The victory marks the second time that Djokovic has won three of the four Majors in a season, joining Federer as the only other player to achieve the feat in the last decade.

For Federer, it was only the third time that the world number two had reached a Grand Slam final in the last three years.

It appeared that the athletic Djokovic simply wore down the 34 year old Swiss.  While he had an impressive 11 aces, he also had 54 unforced errors (nearly 20 more than his opponent.)

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While his performance at the U.S. Open displayed that his game remains brilliant, it also showed the greater challenges that Federer faces in defeating players like Djokovic in five sets.

The 17 Grand Slam champion will undoubtedly be looking to add an elusive 18th title to his resume in 2016, but perhaps his biggest goal will be winning the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

A championship in Brazil would complete a Career Golden Slam of winning all four Majors and Olympic gold.

For Novak Djokovic, the victory cements him as undoubtedly the best player currently in the world today.

Despite losing twice to Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal in the final, Djokovic has displayed that his skills and physical condition have kept him ahead of his peers.

While the two currently have the best rivalry in tennis, tied at 21 victories apiece, Djokovic firmly cemented his place as the world number one.

Next: 2015 U.S. Open - Women's Final

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