After two weeks of action in New York, the match that many had hoped would decide the men’s title came to fruition. But viewers had to wait through an extended rain delay before play could begin. However, when it did, it was Novak Djokovic defeating Roger Federer along with a pro-Federer crowd to win the 2015 U. S. Open Men’s Championship, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.

As Arthur Ashe Stadium buzzed with spectators waiting to burst into a frenzy, the pair of champions immediately went to battle in a lengthy game where the Swiss was forced to save three break points. Meanwhile, the world No. 1 appeared comfortable, cruising through his first service game. Striking the ball very effectively in the first set, Djokovic would break Federer first. But after a service game where the Serb would take a nasty fall, Federer would quickly even the match.

Djokovic shook off the brief setback and elevated his play once more to gain another break, later in the set. Sinking his teeth into every game, he would close out the first set.

As play rounded into the second set, a theme began to emerge. Federer was not in a rhythm, struggling to hold serve as Djokovic cruised. However, with the crowd attempting to lift him, Federer would change tactics. For the first time in the match, the veteran would implement his now infamous “sneak attack” move on the Djokovic serve. It would create some break opportunities, but the 28-year-old would fight to hold serve, and the set remained even.

As the set progressed, the New York fans took their support of the 17-time major champion to another level. Sensing that a two-set deficit might be insurmountable, a Davis Cup atmosphere erupted. And with the crowd crossing a tennis etiquette line at times, Djokovic could not stop the momentum as Federer broke at 6-5 to take the second set.

In the third set, Djokovic gained an early service break, but it was short-lived as the top seed fell into a temporary rut. With Federer striking the more confident shots and Djokovic reeling somewhat, the match momentum had taken a full turn from early in the contest. However, the world’s top player did not earn that distinction without a fight, and Djokovic found another gear. He would break Federer and close out the set on his racket.

With the edge, Djokovic attacked his opponent relentlessly in the first game of the fourth set, gaining a big early break. Now fighting a mental battle and possibly some fatigue, Federer suddenly appeared flat. Uncharacteristically, he would misfire from his forehand side too frequently, and the Serb would gain a second service break. But with the heart of a champion, as Djokovic attempted to serve out the match, Federer would regain one service break. Amazingly, he earned three additional break point opportunities with Djokovic serving at 5-4, but he could not cash in as his comeback came up short. Djokovic would slam the door and win his 10th major championship.

The Serb felt Federer’s pressure in the final set. “I knew he was going to be very aggressive and not drop his level too much. I was serving at 5-2 in the fourth, and Roger showed why he is a champion. I was fortunate to come up with some big serves in that last game,” he admitted.

The respectful Djokovic acknowledged Federer afterward. “It was a great match tonight; a tough one,” Djokovic said. “When you come out on the court against him, you know that you’re playing probably the best player in the history of the game.” He continued, “I have a tremendous respect for Roger and what his game is presenting to me and to any other player. His level is always going to force the best out of you and that was needed from my side.”

Meanwhile, Federer shared a sentence that all in attendance had hoped to hear, “I’ll see you guys next year.”

With the U. S. Open concluding the Grand Slam events of 2015, Djokovic was asked to describe his year, which featured three major titles. “An incredible season,” he said. 

The next major will take place at the end of January when the best in the world converge on Melbourne for the Australian Open in 2016.