US Open: Novak Djokovic equals Pete Sampras with 14 Grand Slam titles

A dominant Novak Djokovic went past Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets to claim his third US Open title at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday. The Serbian’s victory also equals him with the iconic Pete Sampras who too had 14 Grand Slam titles to his name. He is now at the third position in the list of Grand Slam title winners after Roger Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (17).

The conditions at this year’s US Open has already been something to talk of and it was no different but Djokovic battled it out in the clash which lasted more than three hours and eventually ended up completing the Wimbledon-US Open double for the third time in his career, having already played his eighth final at the Flushing Meadows.

“I want to say Pete, I love you, you’re my idol,” Djokovic said of Sampras, as quoted by AFP.

He added further, “To the support of the loved ones, my kids, my wife, my small team of people that has been there with me through difficult times as well.”

The 31-year old was able to take just two points from Del Potro’s first three service games but nonetheless grabbed the lead at 5-3.  A 22-shot rally saw the Serbian win the first set, in what was only the second one to be dropped by Del Potro in the tournament this year.

He continued his dominance in the second set as well, securing a lead of 3-1 but the Argentine fought back to level terms, winning his first break point to draw things at 3-3. It was Djokovic again who won the 95-minute in the tie-break set after his opponent showed signs of weariness.

Two sets down, it would have been an uphill task for Del Potro to end up winning the US open title but that was all put to rest as Djokovic took the lead at 3-1. Despite Del Potro fighting back to level up things at 3-3, Djokovic went ahead again at 5-3 and didn’t have to look back as he ended up the victor at the Flushing Meadows.

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