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2018 US Open, September 10 Men's singles, final Arthur Ashe Stadium, Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York Juan Martin Del Potro vs Novak Djokovic |
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The US Open will be decided with fan favourite Juan Martin Del Potro taking on Novak Djokovic who is out to win his second straight. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6am (AEST).
As powerful as Del Potro is with his big serve and forehand, along with the form he had been showing, he was supposed to run into a buzzsaw during the semi-finals.
Instead, he found a struggling and ultimately, injured Rafael Nadal.
After taking the first set in a tiebreaker, which he has an edge in against most players on the ATP tour, Del Potro ran through the second set before Nadal threw the towel in, unable to deal with a knee complaint.
Del Potro’s serve and forehand combination has been rolling throughout the tournament, and as a result, the Argentine has lost just a single set across his six matches – coming in the quarter-final against John Isner.
On the other hand, Djokovic looked scratchy early at the final grand slam of the year, but has been superb since, not dropping a set since the second round.
His level of play has been astronomical, with the former world No.1 aiming for his second grand slam in a row. He has been defending well, returning serve excellently, painting lines and after wins over John Millman and Kei Nishikori, he is primed to go the journey in New York.
The pressure will be on Djokovic nonetheless, given he comes into the final as favourite.
Djokovic has a brilliant record over Del Potro as well, having won 14 of their 18 career matches including all of the last three during 2017. They are yet to face off in 2018.
Prediction
Logic probably says Djokovic should win. He has been solid, hitting the ball well and is the best returner on tour. Del Potro is a fighter though and his serve might ruffle the feathers of the Serbian if he can get sets to tie breakers.
Del Potro in five sets.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the men’s singles final at the US Open from 6am (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: 6am (AEST)
Court: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York
TV: Live, ESPN, SBS
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, WatchESPN
Betting: Djokovic $1.47, Del Potro $2.85
Overall record: Played 18, Djokovic 14, Del Potro 4
clipper
Roar Rookie
Amazing - over a decade on and it's still the big 3 dominating with Djokovic back at no. 3. When are the next generation of players going to break through - certainly seen no solid sign this year.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this morning here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2018 US Open as Novak Djokovic won the tournament over Juan Martin Del Potro. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage today and over the last fortnight. We will (maybe - still undecided) be back for the Davis Cup this coming weekend, however, we will be definitely be live through the end of December and all the way through January as the new tennis season gets underway in Australia. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic now. Asked about his run from Wimbledon to now. "(I attribute my success) to the support I have had. The support from my loved ones and my team. When I had my elbow surgery early this year, I understand what Juan Martin was going through with his surgeries for two three years. You're away from the tour, it's a difficult time, and things don't work out as you want to. "I was hoping he (Pete Sampras) was going to be here tonight. I want to say he is my idol and I hope I'll see you on the court very soon. Before we go on, I want to say thanks and well done to Juan Martin. He is going to be here again with the champions trophy. "It felt like a football match a little bit with Argentinian and Serbian fans here. The atmosphere and support was amazing. The respect they had for the other player was important. No one went over the line and it was truly amazing."
Scott Pryde
Expert
Del Potro. "It's hard to speak right now. I love you guys. "It's so good to be playing the final against one of my idols. If there's one player I want to watch win titles it's him. I'm sad because I lost, but I'm happy for Novak and his team. "After my wrist problems, I've fixed my injuries to be here. I'm back here after nine years, which is amazing to me." Classy interview that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic and Del Potro embracing on the side of the court now before it gets underway. Great to see. Lot of respect between these two.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Presentation about to get underway here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hard to watch Del Potro in tears on the side of the court. He has done so well to get back to this level after the career-threatening... Almost ending... Injuries he faced. But you have to acknowledge the effort he put in for more than three hours today.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So, Djokovic now with 14 grand slams. He is back on top of the tennis world right at the moment. We saw a few years ago just how good Djokovic can be. If he maintains that level, he is going to start closing that gap to Nadal and Federer at the top. Right now, Djokovic is clear favourite at next year's Aussie Open.
Scott Pryde
Expert
GAME, SET, MATCH, NOVAK DJOKOVIC Fault from Djokovic. The second is slapped back on a forehand, then it's another one of these long, grinding rallies. Djokovic eventually nails a forehand to the corner, comes to the net in answer to a lob and puts the overhead smash away through the court to take victory and another grand slam title. After 3 hours and 16 minutes of excellent tennis, it's Novak Djokovic taking his second straight grand slam title. What a victory. Del Potro played well, but Djokovic just a class above there. Del Potro... 3 6 6 Djokovic.... 6 7 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
Huge! Djokovic with a wide serve, that draws a short return and he races forward, putting the ball back in behind. Match, and championship, point. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 30 Djokovic.... 6 7 5 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Djokovic just looks a little bit tense. Bad miss on a crosscourt backhand this time. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 30 Djokovic.... 6 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Djokovic. The second is returned on a backhand, then Del Potro slices one into the net. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 15 Djokovic.... 6 7 5 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ah! Del Potro should have got this forehand, but he puts it wide despite having half the court to aim at. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 15 Djokovic.... 6 7 5 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Fault from Djokovic. The second is returned with interest on a forehand, then Djokovic just continues this brick wall defence, before playing a drop shot which doesn't clear the net. That wasn't the right option. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 15 Djokovic.... 6 7 5 - 0
Scott Pryde
Expert
What can you do? How do you beat this guy? Djokovic keeps a stack of balls in play out of the corner, backpedalling a number of times, then he is dragged over to the other side of the court, but Del Potro puts the backhand wide. Djokovic now to serve for the title. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - Djokovic.... 6 7 5 -
Scott Pryde
Expert
Double fault. Del Potro's first of the match, after over three hours. Two break points. This could be the end right here. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 15 Djokovic.... 6 7 4 - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Del Potro with a good serve, but it comes back, Djokovic defends well and then Del Potro, trying to set up an approach, puts it into the net. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 15 Djokovic.... 6 7 4 - 30
Scott Pryde
Expert
Serve down the middle, Djokovic slaps the forehand return and then Del Potro returns into the net. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 15 Djokovic.... 6 7 4 - 15
Scott Pryde
Expert
Del Potro smacks a forehand away to grab the first point on serve. Del Potro... 3 6 3 - 15 Djokovic.... 6 7 4 - 0