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Rafael Nadal claimed his second US Open title and 13th Grand Slam crown on Monday when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a lung-busting, big-hitting final.
Novak always brings my game to the limit. He is an amazing player. He will go down as one of the greatest in the sport. 
Nadal, 27, added the 2013 trophy to his 2010 triumph, when he completed a career Grand Slam, and gloriously capped a year that has now seen him capture 10 titles and stretch his season record to 60 wins and just three losses.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain bites the trophy as he celebrates winning the men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day Fifteen of the 2013 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2013 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP Victory bite: Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the US Open final against Novak Djokovic. Photo: AFP
Monday's win also earned him a total of $US3.6 million ($A3.9 million), which takes his career earnings through the $US60 million ($A65 million) mark and also edged him closer to Roger Federer's record of 17 majors and put him one behind Pete Sampras.
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In the pair's record-setting 37th meeting, world number two Nadal, who only returned to the tour in February following a seven-month injury lay-off, took his lead over Djokovic to 22-15 as he added the US Open crown to the eighth French Open he claimed in June.
"It's very emotional. All my team knows what this means to me," said Nadal.
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Winner: Rafael Nadal hits a return to Novak Djokovic. Photo: Reuters
"Novak always brings my game to the limit. He is an amazing player. He will go down as one of the greatest in the sport."
For Djokovic, playing in a fourth successive final in New York, it was a devastating defeat in a year which started with a fourth Australian Open title but was followed by a semi-final loss at the French Open to Nadal and a Wimbledon final mauling by Andy Murray.
For the neutrals, however, it was a memorable contest which showcased thrilling athleticism, delicate touch and exhausting, brutal rallies, one of which was fought out over 54 shots.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia slams a forehand. Novak Djokovic of Serbia slams a forehand. Photo: Getty Images
Djokovic lost 11 of the last 13 games with his challenge fatally undermined by 53 unforced errors to Nadal's 20.
"Rafa was too good, and he definitely deserved to win today. I am disappointed to lose a match like this but it's a huge privilege to be fighting for the trophy," said Djokovic.
Nadal, in his 18th major final, was comfortably the more settled player in the opening stages, finding pin-point accuracy while Djokovic, who had already voiced his dislike at playing on a late Monday afternoon, was sluggish and heavy-footed.
Jessica Alba (centre row second right), Amanda Seyfried (bottom row second right) and Justin Long (bottom row right) watch the men's singles final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain. 

Stars at the US Open Men's Singles Final

 

Jessica Alba (centre row second right), Amanda Seyfried (bottom row second right) and Justin Long (bottom row right) watch the men's singles final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain. Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AF
Nadal, who missed the 2012 tournament through injury, sensed the Serb's uneasiness and broke for a 2-1 lead, mastering the occasion as well as the tricky breeze.
Djokovic, meanwhile, looked as lethargic as he had done at Wimbledon when he was brushed aside in straight sets by Murray.
Even the technology was on the Spaniard's side as a successful challenge on triple break point gave him a double break for 5-2.
Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the US Open. Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the US Open. Photo: Getty Images
With a host of showbusiness glitterati looking on - including Sean Connery, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Alba and Justin Timberlake - Nadal claimed the first set with ease after 42 minutes, Djokovic undone by 14 unforced errors.
The omens were looking good at that stage for the 27-year-old Spaniard, who had only lost three out of 154 career grand slam matches when winning the first set.
But 26-year-old Djokovic stormed out of his slumbers and broke for 4-2 in the second set after a 54-shot rally, Nadal dumping an approach into the net.
It was only the second time Nadal had dropped serve in the tournament and the setback fired him into an immediate response, hitting back at 3-4, before Djokovic broke again for 5-3 on a modest 28-shot exchange.
This time, the world number one backed up it up to level the final, taking the 58-minute set with a down the line winner.
Djokovic broke to love in the opening game of the third and had a point for a double break in the third before Nadal clung on to avoid dropping serve for the fourth game in a row.
The world number two then capitalized on a sloppy Djokovic service game to level at 3-3, but the twists and turns became a tumble for Nadal, who slipped to the floor in the ninth game.
Unruffled, he saved three break points to sneak ahead 5-4 and then unleashed a deep, fierce forehand which Djokovic could only slap long as Nadal went into a two sets to one lead.
The momentum was back with Nadal as Djokovic cursed his unforced error count, which had rocketed to 42.
Nadal fought off two break points in the opening game of the fourth set and broke a tiring Djokovic with a heat-seeker of a forehand.
He backed it up for 3-0 and repeated it against a broken-spirited Djokovic for 5-1.
Victory was Nadal's after three hours and 21 minutes when Djokovic buried a return in the net.
MOST GRAND SLAM WINS
17 - Roger Federer (SUI)
14 - Pete Sampras (USA)
13 - Rafael Nadal (ESP)
12 - Roy Emerson (AUS)
11 - Bjorn Borg (SWE), Rod Laver (AUS)
10 - Bill Tilden (USA)
US OPEN MEN’S FINAL STATISTICS                                 
Djokovic            Nadal     
Aces:                            6                 1
Double faults:                   2                 1
1st serve percentage:           68                64
Break points/break points won:  3/11              7/12
Net points won:                 22/36             17/23
Winners:                        46                27
Unforced errors:                53                20
Total points:                   102               121
Fastest serve:                 127mph            125mph
CAREER OF RAFAEL NADAL
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
World ranking: 2
Age: 27
Birthdate: June 3, 1986
Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Residence: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Height: 185cm
Weight: 85kg
Plays: Left-handed
Turned Pro: 2001
Coach: Toni Nadal
Website: www.rafaelnadal.com
Twitter: RafaelNadal
Career singles titles: 60
Grand Slam singles titles: 13 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013)
Career prize money: $US60,510,697
Best US Open result: Champion (2010, 2013)