Nadal Crowned 2010 U.S. Open Men’s Champion

September 14, 2010 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Nadal_01

Rafael Nadal won his first U.S. Open Championship to become the seventh man in history to complete a career Grand Slam by defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court Monday night, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. Nadal, the top seed of the 2010 U.S. Open, beat the third-seeded Djokovic to earn his ninth major title. At the age of 24, Nadal is the third-youngest man in the Open era of tennis to have won each of the four majors (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open) at least once.

Nadal has now won three consecutive majors in 2010, the French Open, Wimbledon and now the U.S. Open.

The men’s final was originally scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but was pushed back to Monday due to rain. Then, after Nadal jumped out to a 6-4, 4-4 lead, the rains returned Monday evening. After a two-hour-plus rain delay, the players returned to the court and it was Djokovic who came out a bit more rejuvenated. Djokovic broke Nadal at 6-5 to win the second set. After that, it was all Nadal.

Nadal showed why he is the number one-ranked player in the world. He ran Djokovic around the court and dictated points from the baseline. Djokovic fought hard, valiantly fighting off multiple break points, but in the end, Nadal was just too good. Nadal’s consistency wore down Djokovic. At one point in the fourth set, Nadal went over 50 straight points without an unforced error. Nadal served out the match just prior to 10:00 p.m. EST and the dream was complete. Nadal fell to the ground in triumph, realizing his dream of becoming 2010 U.S. Open Champion!

The win was Nadal’s 21st consecutive in Grand Slam tournaments. He left no doubt of his dominance on the men’s side at the 2010 Open, as he lost only one set (the second set Monday evening in the Open finals to Djokovic) on the way to being crowned 2010 U.S. Open Men’s Singles Champion.

Rafael Nadal crumbles to the court upon winning the 2010 U.S. Open


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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