Novak Djokovic continued his remarkable season by dethroning Rafael Nadal to claim his maiden US Open title in New York.
The world number one became only the sixth man in history to win three majors in the same year following a breathtaking 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3/7) 6-1 victory in over four hours of pulsating action at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic, a three-time runner-up at the event, made it fourth time lucky and lifted his 10th title of a sensational year after an inspired display against 2010 champion Nadal.
The Serb looked in trouble after losing the third set on a tie-breaker and then required treatment on his back, however that only served to inspire the 24-year-old, who raced through the fourth set 6-1 to be crowned king of New York.
Nadal, who had lost all five of this year's meetings with Djokovic heading into the match, made the perfect start in his quest for a 11th grand slam title when he broke the Serb's opening service game at the first time of asking.
However, he could not have anticipated the response from Djokovic, who went on to reel off the next six games to take the opening set in 53 minutes.
Djokovic lost his opening service game of the second set, but, after squandering five break points, he broke at the sixth time of asking to trail 2-1 in a game which lasted over 17 minutes.
The pattern of the second set began to replicate the first when Djokovic won four games in a row to move 4-2 ahead, however Nadal, showing the guts and determination we are all accustomed to, fashioned a break point of his own in the eighth game and took it with a sizzling backhand winner down the line.
But, the Spaniard's struggles on serve continued, and, after three forehand misses, Nadal was broken again when Djokovic struck a sweetly-timed forehand winner of his own.
The same shot handed the top seed the second set 6-4, and the celebration which followed perfectly illustrated just how important that set was in the context of the match.
In the do-or-die third set, Nadal saw his serve broken in the third game, however yet again he hit straight back to defy anyone who may have foolishly expected the stylish southpaw to surrender.
Four successive breaks of serve were traded in the set, but when Djokovic broke for a 6-5 lead, it seemed certain he would serve out the Championship.
However, in yet another twist, Nadal broke again and with the momentum and crowd behind him, took the ensuing tie-break 7/3 to force a decider.
Djokovic received treatment for an apparent back problem before the start of the fourth set and took a full medical time-out after holding serve in the opening game.
But with everything now seemingly in Nadal's favour, Djokovic defied the odds to break for a 2-0 lead on his fifth break point - his second having gone begging when a broken string sent a forehand sailing long.
The Serb was rejuvenated and broke Nadal again in the sixth game for a 5-1 lead and a second chance to serve out for the title.
This time there was to be no mistake and a forehand winner sealed a dramatic victory in front of a packed-out crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Incredible
Speaking moments after his way, Djokovic said: "It's an incredible, incredible feeling. I've had an amazing year and it keeps going but every time I play Rafa it's a big challenge and I want to congratulate him on a great tournament.
"I wish we have many more tough matches in upcoming years."
Nadal paid tribute to Djokovic, adding: "Obviously I'm disappointed but this guy is doing unbelievable things so congratulations Novak and your team for everything. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat.
"I try my best in every moment, these kind of matches are very difficult, it brings your body to the limit.
"I tried to play great but he always makes a fantastic comeback. That's tennis, I tried my best and am happy with what I did. I ran to every ball and fought until the last ball.
"This year I lost a lot of finals against him but I won a lot in the past and the only thing I can do is try my best every day to keep improving and for sure I will come back next year and try my best."
