Djokovic bests Nadal for U.S. Open crown

NEW YORK, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Top-ranked Novak Djokovic claimed his first U.S. Open and third Grand Slam title of the year Monday, outslugging Rafael Nadal in four sets.

Djokovic avenged his loss to the world No. 2 in last year's Flushing Meadows finale, posting a hard-fought 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 win in which he overcame a sore back to run his 2011 record to 64-2.

The Serbian star rallied from 0-2 deficits in the first two sets and battled back after dropping a third-set tiebreaker in a match that featured virtuoso defensive play by both competitors.

Djokovic bested the Spaniard for the sixth time in a final this year -- including at Wimbledon, when he wrested the top ranking away from him.

He became only the sixth man in the open era to win three Grand Slam events in the same season after also taking Australian Open in January. It was his 11th crown of the year.

Nadal came up short in his bid for an 11th career Slam title. He won the French Open this year -- the only Grand Slam title that escaped Djokovic this year.