From The Archive: When Novak Djokovic Reached Four Consecutive Us Open Finals
The 2020 US Open got underway at Flushing Meadows in New York City earlier this week, and in the absence of some of the sport’s biggest names, including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic is the heavy favorite to win the tournament – according to the latest US Open tennis betting odds!
With that in mind, we’ve dug deep into the archive and uncovered the four-year period in which the Serbian reached four consecutive finals at Flushing Meadows. Read on to find out more!
2010: Djokovic vs Nadal
After losing to Roger Federer in his first US Open final in 2007, Djokovic returned to the North American Grand Slam final in 2010 – this time to face Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who was playing in his first final, despite seven previous attempts.
The Serbian’s route to the final was far from straightforward. Djokovic faced American hardcourt specialist Mardy Fish, who was the 19th seed, in the fourth round, before going up against 17th seed Gael Monfils and Federer in the quarterfinals and semi-finals, respectively.
In the final, Nadal won the first set 6-4, before Djokovic leveled the scores again in the second (7-5). However, the Spaniard put the game to bed, winning the third and fourth sets 6-4, 6-2, respectively. The current World Number 2 has gone on to win the tournament three more times since!
2011: Djokovic vs Nadal
The following year Djokovic returned to the pinnacle of the Flushing Meadows tournament, again facing defending champion Nadal in the final, and seeking revenge for their previous outing in New York.
The Serbian breezed through the opening rounds, winning his first four matches without dropping a single set. Djokovic then beat fellow countryman Janko Tipsarević 7-6(7-2), 6-7(3-7), 6-0, 3-0 (retired) in the quarterfinals, before coming back from two sets down against Federer in the semi-finals to win 6-7(7-9), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.
In the final, Nole won the opening two sets 6-2, 6-4 against Nadal, before the Spaniard hit back – claiming the third set. However, the Serbian won the fourth set easily, beating Nadal 6-1 to claim his first US Open title.
2012: Djokovic vs Andy Murray
In 2012, Djokovic went head-to-head with Britain’s Andy Murray in the final. It was the first time since the 2004 French Open that neither Federer nor Nadal reached the semi-final of a Grand Slam, whilst it was also Murray’s second outing in the US Open final, after losing in straight sets to Federer in 2008.
Again, the Serbian eased past his early opponents, beating Paolo Lorenzi, Rogerio Dutra da Silva, Julien Benneteau, Stan Warwrinka (retired), and Juan Martin del Potro without dropping a set in the first four rounds. In the semi-final, Djokovic lost the opening set against Spaniard David Ferrer. However, he won the following three sets to progress to the final.
It was a thrilling final, with Murray winning the first two sets 7-6(12-10), 7-5 before Djokovic hit back with two consecutive sets of his own. However, the Scot bounced back, winning the final set comfortably (6-2), and his first Grand Slam title.
2013: Djokovic vs Nadal
With Nadal fully recovered from the knee injury that made him withdraw from the 2012 US Open, he made his presence known in the 2013 tournament, reaching his third final in four years.
In typical fashion, Djokovic reached the quarter-final stage of the tournament without even dropping a set – beating Ricardas Berkankis, Benjamin Becker, Joao Sousa, and Marcel Pujol en route. Nole beat Russian Mikhail Youzhny three sets to one in the quarter-finals, before a tough encounter with Wawrinka in the semis. The Swiss player-led 2-1 after the opening three sets, but Djokovic was able to win consecutive sets to win 3-2.
The honors were even after the first two sets of the final, with Nadal winning the opener before Djokovic canceled it out by winning the second. However, the Spaniard proved too good for the Serbian once again, winning the next two sets 4-6, 1-6, as he moved to 13 Grand Slam victories.
