US Open men's final 2011 - in pictures

The Arthur Ashe stadium was full to the brim as Rafael Nadal began his quest for an 11th major title. But at the opposite end of the court was the Serbian Novak Djokovic - winner of the Australian Open and Wimbledon already this year. Djokovic had beaten Nadal in five finals in all competitions already this season and was therefore the favourite going into the match Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

Nadal claimed the opening two games of the first set Photograph: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

But Djokovic, the current world number one, won the following six games in succession to win the set Photograph: Mehdi Taamallah/PA

Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce enjoyed that one Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images

De ja vu in the second set as Nadal held the opening game and then surged to a 40-0 lead on Djokovic's serve in game two. Djokovic saved the first two break points but not the third, as Nadal fired a glorious forehand winner Photograph: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

But once more, Djokovic showed his mettle and responded swiftly. Four straight games to the Serbian gave him a decisive advantage which he retained in order to win the second set 6-4 Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Nadal was being run ragged by his ever-zealous opponent. Just look at that sweat Photograph: Al Bello/Getty Images

... it was literally dripping off him at times Photograph: Matt Slocum/AP

The sun began to set over the New York skyline and, seemingly, on Nadal's US Open challenge Photograph: Charlie Riedel/AP

The pair exchanged further service breaks - four in succession - midway through the third set, much to the dismay of Djokovic Photograph: Charles Krupa/AP

Djokovic broke again at 5-5 in the set, earning himself the chance to serve out the match ... Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

But Nadal rallied and broke back thanks to a nervy and wayward Djokovic backhand, sending the set into a tie-break Photograph: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Curiously, the tie-break was a rather one-sided affair, with Nadal racing to a 5-1 lead. He got himself three set points and needed only one of them to pull himself right back into the contest Photograph: Matt Slocum/AP

Nadal was jubilant, while Djokovic looked to be feeling the strain and early in the fourth set called for the medic Photograph: Chris Trotman/Getty Images

The 24-year-old received extensive treatment, disrupting Nadal's momentum Photograph: Andrew Gombert/EPA

When the game resumed, Djokovic was back to his athletic best Photograph: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

Nadal's hopes disintegrated as he lost two service games in a row Photograph: Nick Laham/Getty Images

And with a typically immaculate winning shot, Djokovic claimed match point to win the US Open (6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1) Photograph: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images for USTA

Having brought himself to his feet, Djokovic claimed the trophy - his third major of the year and the fourth of his career. Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

What a year it's been for him. He's been crowned world No1 and dethroned Rafael Nadal as the king of men's tennis Photograph: Chris Trotman/Getty Images