Djokovic Tops Nadal for 1st US Open Title

Novak Djokovic matched his nearly perfect season with an almost flawless performance in tonight's US Open final, returning brilliantly and swatting winners from all angles to beat Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1. In a final full of lengthy, mesmerizing points, the No. 1-ranked Djokovic claimed his third Grand Slam trophy of 2011, improving his season record to 64-2 with 10 titles, the AP reports.

"In big matches, the winner is decided by small margins, a couple points," Djokovic said. "I guess the winner is the one who believes in victory more. I've had an amazing year, and it keeps going." Against No. 2 Nadal this season, Djokovic is 6-0, all in finals: three on hard courts, including today; two on clay; and one on grass at Wimbledon. "I'm disappointed, but you know what—this guy is doing is unbelievable," Nadal said. (More Novak Djokovic stories.)