Brilliant finish to season after gloomy start
NEW YORK: For Novak Djokovic, a season that got off to a gloomy start is heading for a brilliant finish after he dismissed Juan Martin Del Potro 63, 76 (74), 63 to win the US Open yesterday and earn backtoback grand slam titles.
Working his way back from elbow surgery he underwent following the Australian Open, the Serb did not expect to feature in the grand slam picture this season.
But in the past eight weeks the 31yearold has resembled the grand slam machine that held all four major titles at the same time in 2016, wining three of his past four events including Wimbledon and US Open.
‘‘If you told me in February this year when I got the surgery that I’ll win Wimbledon, US Open, and Cincinnati, it would be hard to believe,’’ Djokovic said after pushing his career total to 14 grand slams to sit thirdequal with Pete Sampras on the alltime list.
‘‘Life showed me that it takes time for good things. It takes time to really build them, for things to fall into place.
‘‘The last two months have been terrific.’’
The sixth seed had suffered in the ferocious heat and humidity through the early days of the season’s final grand slam but dropped only two sets for the tournament and none since the second round.
Playing on the same court where Sampras claimed his 14th and final grand slam crown, Djokovic has endured more disappointment than joy on Arthur Ashe, winning three titles from eight finals.
All that frustration was washed away when he struck the overhead winner to clinch victory over Argentine Del Potro, Djokovic falling to his back, arms and legs spread savouring the moment.
‘‘Pete Sampras is one of the biggest legends ever to play the game,’’ Djokovic said. ‘‘He was my childhood idol.
‘‘There is a lot of significance of me being now shoulder to shoulder in terms of grand slam wins with him.
‘‘It’s truly incredible when you think about it. I watched him win one of his first Wimbledon championships, and I grew up playing and thinking that one day I’ll be able to do what he does.
‘‘To actually be here, it’s a dream come true.’’
The match was a relatively calm and composed baseline battle between two friends and familiar foes, who had played each other 18 times, Djokovic holding a commanding 144 edge.
While there was joy in victory there was none to be taken from beating a teary Del Potro, who knows the pain of a comeback having undergone four wrist surgeries that caused him to miss 14 grand slams and at one point looked to be derailing his career.
Del Potro’s sole grand slam title came at the US Open in 2009 and he said it had been an emotional journey back to the Flushing Meadows final.
‘‘I’m very sad for being a loser today but Novak deserved to take the trophy,’’ Del Potro, who wept into his hands before being comforted by Djokovic, said.
‘‘I was playing almost at the limit all the time, looking for winners with my forehands, backhands, and I couldn’t make it because Novak was there every time.
‘‘The worst part to me is the chances that I couldn’t make but then when you see a friend holding the trophy, it’s good, too.
‘‘I’m glad that Novak is the champion.’’
Meanwhile, Australian Ashleigh Barty and American CoCo Vandeweghe fought back from a lacklustre start to beat Hungarian Timea Babos and Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic 36, 76 (72) 76 (108) in the women’s doubles final yesterday.
It was the first major title for each player, who produced a gutsy performance in the second and third sets and forced their opponents into 52 errors during the match. — Reuters