Djokovic dethrones Nadal at the US Open

The world number one had beaten his rival in each of their previous five meetings this season, all finals, and got the perfect start at Flushing Meadows as a run of six consecutive games saw him take the opening set.

The world number one produced a masterful display of tactics and precision then regained his composure after failing to serve out the match in the third set to seal victory after four hours and 10 minutes.

And although Nadal, who beat Djokovic in last year's final, battled his way back into the match in the third set in particular, every time it seemed he might be getting the upper hand his opponent upped his game still further.

It was a fourth grand slam title for Djokovic and the third of an extraordinary 2011 in which he has won 64 out of 66 matches.

Djokovic looked set for a more comfortable win when he led 6-5 in an epic third set featuring numerous breaks of serve, only to be broken again and forced into a tie-break.

Nadal stormed into a 5-1 lead and, after Djokovic dragged it back to 5-3, some questionable shot selection from the Serbian gave Nadal three set points, the first of which he converted when Djokovic powered a forehand into the net.

Djokovic received treatment for an apparent back problem before the start of the fourth set and took a full medical time-out after holding serve in the opening game.

But with everything now seemingly in Nadal's favour, Djokovic defied the odds to break for a 2-0 lead on his fifth break point - his second having gone begging when a broken string sent a forehand sailing long.

The Serb was rejuvenated and broke Nadal again in the sixth game for a 5-1 lead and a second chance to serve out for the title.

This time there was to be no mistake and a forehand winner sealed a dramatic victory.