US Open men's final 2017: Rafael Nadal beats Kevin Anderson in straight sets for sixteenth Grand Slam title
Top-seed Nadal beat Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4 in the US Open final
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Your support makes all the difference.Rafael Nadal proved far too good for Kevin Anderson as he claimed a 16th grand slam title at the US Open.
The world number one lived up to his billing as the heavy favourite with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory over surprise finalist Anderson.
It completed a throwback year in men's tennis at the slams, with Nadal and Roger Federer claiming all the titles between them for the first time since 2010.
Nadal has once again closed to within three of Federer's all-time record of 19 slam singles titles, while the 'big four' can now lay claim to 46 of the last 51.
There have been highs and lows in New York since Nadal's maiden title seven years ago but this was one of his most dominant performances, with the 31-year-old losing just 15 points on serve in the match and not facing a single break point.
Relive all of the live action below.
What time is it?
The final is expected to start at 9pm BST. That's 4pm in New York.
What have they been saying?
Rafael Nadal
“For me, what is more important than winning Slams is to be happy.
“I am happy if I am healthy and happy if I feel competitive in most of the weeks that I am playing, and that's what happened this year.
“Of course winning or losing that final is a big change, but I am very happy about all the things that happen to me and I am going to fight to win another title here.
“But it's still been a great season for me.”
Kevin Anderson
“I knew in my mind there was opportunity there, but I must be honest, I didn't focus really too much on that.
“We are sort of accustomed to the few guys doing well, exceptional consistency.
“It's tough beating those guys because they have had so much experience at this level.
“Even with them out, there have still been a lot of challenges I've had to face throughout this week. I have faced some of the best tennis players in the world.”
Odds
Nadal to win: 1/8
Anderson to win: 11/2
Anderson 3-6, 2-4 Nadal*
And there’s Nadal’s second set breakthrough!
He breaks Anderson in emphatic fashion. The South African saves one break point but is helpless to save the second. Nadal returns and then charges the net, defending a couple of big baseline blasts before winning the point with a smashed half-volley which loops high over Anderson’s head.
Nadal breaks and leads 4-2.
Anderson* 3-6, 2-5 Nadal
Nadal falls 0-15 down but hits to huge serves to get his nose ahead in this game. One sensational backhand passing winner and one Anderson error later, and Nadal holds. Again. He’s looking unstoppable.
Anderson 3-6, 3-5 Nadal*
Nadal hits yet another winner to move 15-30 up and it’s looking like he’s on the cusp of another break.
But Anderson recovers, falling back on his trusty serve to get him out of bother. He holds, and forces Nadal to serve the second set out.
Anderson* 3-6, 3-6 Nadal
Brilliant. Nadal holds to love again, refusing to give Anderson even the slightest sniff of winning a point and claiming the second set with a huge crosscourt winner.
This is just a formality now.
Rafa Nadal wins the second set 6-3 and leads two sets to love.
Anderson 3-6, 3-6, 0-1 Nadal*
Oh dear. The writing is truly on the wall for Anderson now. Nadal takes him to deuce and Anderson then daubs a lazy forehand into the net, handing him a break point.
Nadal gratefully snatches up the opportunity, forcing Anderson into an error to break at the first time of asking in this third set.
Anderson* 3-6, 3-6, 0-2 Nadal
No sweat from Nadal. He races through his service game to back up that break.
Anderson 3-6, 3-6, 1-2 Nadal*
Perhaps Anderson isn’t done just yet! He whistles down his eighth ace of the evening and holds to 15.
Anderson* 3-6, 3-6, 1-3 Nadal
Not bad from Anderson … but still not good enough. He manages to win a couple points off Nadal’s serve but is still helpless to prevent the Spaniard from holding.
Anderson hasn’t had a single break point this evening. He is being utterly dominated.
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