Novak Djokovic vs Juan Martin del Potro, US Open final as it happened: Serbian favourite wins 14th Grand Slam
Follow game-by-game coverage of the New York final
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Your support makes all the difference.Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro meet for the first time in a Grand Slam final as they contest the men’s US Open singles title.
Both are former winners at Flushing Meadows but the occasion is all the bigger for the Argentine, who is making his second only appearance in the US Open final – nine years on from that memorable win over Roger Federer.
Djokovic, as the reigning Wimbledon champion and a 13-time Grand Slam winner, heads into the match as the favourite but Del Potro holds all the qualities needed to pull off a surprise shock in this year’s final.
Follow our game-by-game coverage below:
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What time does it start?
The final gets underway at 4pm local time, which is 9pm BST.
How can I watch it?
You’ll have to subscribe to Amazon Prime to watch the final after the internet giant bought exclusive rights to the tournament earlier this year. Alternatively, follow updates from the live blog above!
Djokovic 2-1 Del Potro*
We start the game with a first challenge of the final as Djokovic incorrectly questions his backhand slice. Del Potro takes advantage to go 0-30 up by moving into the net early but wastes it with a lazy backhand slice into the net. Another long rally levels it up at 30-30 and he has very promptly cut off that half-chance for the Argentine.
Or has he? A heavy forehand takes it to deuce but some brilliance from Djokovic sees him hold.
Djokovic* 2-2 Del Potro
Del Potro is hitting some big ground shots so far, especially off the forehand, but Djokovic is showing his returning class as well. It's sticking to form at the moment though, with neither man really going for it just yet.
Djokovic 3-2 Del Potro*
Djokovic again breezes through to 15 and this match looks like it could be a long one. Strap yourselves in boys and girls. Interestingly, the men's game uses heavier, slower balls than the women's, with the court also designed to make the game slower and matches longer. So, we'll be here for five set. It's science, after all.
Djokovic* 3-3 Del Potro
Again Del Potro deos exactly what Djokovic did and holds to 15. It seems that if the non-serving player fails to go 0-30 up, then they save their energy for the following service game.
Djokovic 4-3 Del Potro*
There will be new balls after this game and the players will be looking forward to it as it's all a bit slow at the moment. Djokovic holds to love.
Djokovic* 5-3 Del Potro
It is a bit quicker with the new balls and with them a change in the rhythm of the games as Djokovic takes the game to deuce and snatches the first break point opportunity of the match so far. And after long, long rally he takes it! Djokovic breaks!
FIRST SET TO NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Djokovic 6-3 Del Potro*
Djokovic serving for the first set and decides to up the pressure as he rushes to the net. Del Porto can't pass him and he is punished. Del Porto ends it with a forehand into the net and it's first blood to the Serb in New York!
Djokovic* 0-1 6-3 Del Potro
Great start from Djokovic with a lovely pick-up volley off his laces! And now he's 0-30 up, is this the opportunity he needs to make a statement at the start of the set? Nope, great character from Del Potro and a big serve gets him back in it as 'Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole' rings out from the Argentine fans in the stadium.
But Djokovic engineers a break point from deuce, which is saved, and another one, which is also saved! And that is a huge hold from Del Potro!
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