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NEW YORK – The final of the US Open suddenly seemed to escape Novak Djokovic. He lost three consecutive games. He was irritated by a crowd screaming for his popular opponent, Juan Martin del Potro. In short, he disagreed.
And then came the crucial match of Sunday, an epic of 20 minutes, 22 points. On three occasions, Del Potro intended to break up and earn the right to serve as a backdrop. Three times, Djokovic was serious. Finally, he seized this game – and the best chance of del Potro to make a match.
A year after missing the US Open because of an elbow injury that would require surgery, Djokovic showed that he was undeniably back at the top of the game. His returns and defense-attack skills as impeccable as ever, Djokovic scored his 14th Grand Slam title and his second consecutive place in all crucial moments for a 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6- 3. 2009 Potro champion at Flushing Meadows.
It was the third championship of Djokovic in New York, as well as those of 2011 and 2015. Add the trophies he won at six Australian Open, a French Open and four Wimbledons, more recently in July, and the Serb of 31 years even with Pete Sampras for the third rank of the men among the men, behind Roger Federer 20 and Rafael Nadal 17.
"I was hoping it would be there, but it's not the case," Djokovic said about Sampras. "That's my idol … Pete, I love you.
Federer lost in the fourth round to New York, while Nadal retired from his semifinal against Potro del because of a bad right knee. The 29-year-old from Argentina was able to return to the Grand Slam final for the first time since his breakthrough nine years ago, a comeback for a guy who has experienced four wrist operations in the meantime.
"I think he'll be back with the champion's trophy, I really think so," said Djokovic, who hugged his mate, then went to console Potro by wiping his tears from his seat. .
Del Potro spoke this week of the weak point in 2015 when he considered leaving the sport. But backed by a dozen friends from home, whose "Ole!" Chirps rang around the arena, he climbed to first place by beating his 100 mph and 135 mph.
These produce free points against so many enemies. Not against Djokovic, who always seemed to have all the answers.
Djokovic was better than Potro for his many exchanges, using his curvature of the leg to reach almost every ball, the sneakers squeaking around the blue field of Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the roof was closed because of the rain. .
"I played almost at the limit, all the time, looking for winners with my forehands, my backhands and I could not get there," said del Potro, "because Novak [was] there every time. & # 39; & # 39;
It has never been more obvious than the match that stood out tonight: with Djokovic serving 4-3 in the second set. They went back and forth, through eight deuces and all those break opportunities for del Potro, until he slapped one forehand in the net, and another sailed.
These are high-risk shots, but, as Del Potro says: "It's the only way to beat that kind of players."
The match was so long that when Djokovic finished at 4-all, the spectators started to leave their seats, perhaps thinking that it was time to change, even if it was not the case . This prompted presiding arbitrator Alison Hughes to reprimand them.
This was a brief request, however, unlike his numerous calls for calm, mainly as fans screamed and sang and applauded for del Potro. This upset Djokovic, who started screaming and waving to the seats. At one point, he pressed his right index finger to his lips, as if to say "Shhhhhhh!" Later, after gaining one point, Djokovic put his finger on his ear, as if to say, "Who do you encourage?" now?! & # 39; & # 39;
The tiebreaker was resolved thanks to other errors from Del Potro on the forehand side, as he seemed more and more tired. He made one last stand by breaking and holding for 3-all. But that was it.
In the end, thanks to a three-game closing by Djokovic, he threw his racket and landed on his back, arms and legs apart.
"Of course I'm sad I [lost]said Potro. "But I'm happy for Novak and his team, they deserve to win."
Djokovic had never experienced a prolonged absence until in 2017, when he was absent during the second half of the season due to elbow pains that had struck him for longer. from one year. He tried to return at the beginning of the season but could not and decided to have surgery in February.
It took him some time to find the right form, as evidenced by his defeat in the quarter-finals at the Open de France against a 72nd ranked guy and having never won a Grand Slam match up to # 39 at this tournament. Djokovic resumed work, and announced that he himself was once again winning at Wimbledon.
Now, he supported this at the US Open, the fourth time in his career, he has won several majors in one season.
"When I was operated on the elbow earlier this year, I could really understand what Juan Martin was going through, difficult times, but you learn through adversity," Djokovic said. moments. "
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