Biggest Takeaways from Novak Djokovic's Victory in Men's Final

The heavyweight champion has retained his title, and he has done it in spectacular fashion.

Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 seed in the U.S. Open, took every shot that No. 2 seed Roger Federer threw at him, and he emerged with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory to win his second U.S. Open championship and the 10th Grand Slam title of his career.

"

.@DjokerNole joins 10 title #grandslam club: .@rogerfederer 17 #Nadal, Sampras 14 Emerson 12 Borg, Laver 11 #Djokovic, Tilden 10 #USOpen

— Greg Sharko (@SharkoTennis) September 14, 2015"

While Djokovic was the top seed, there was a feeling among many of the observers that this was Federer's turn because he was playing such sharp tennis. Federer had just won the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati in August prior to the U.S. Open, and he didn't lose a single game on his serve in that tournament. He beat Djokovic in the championship round of that tournament.

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

He wasn't quite as efficient at the U.S. Open, but his serve was still sharp and so was his return. He had easily beaten Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the semifinal, so he came into the championship round with full confidence.

However, with all those things going for him, he could not get past Djokovic. The biggest difference in the match was the way the two men played their break points.

Federer had Djokovic on the ropes throughout the match, and he had 23 opportunities to break him. However, that's when Djokovic played his toughest and most resilient tennis. He won 19 of those 23 break points. Ben Rothenberg breaks it down further:

"

Perhaps an even more brutal stat for Roger Federer tonight: he was 1/11 on break points against Djokovic's SECOND serve. #usopen

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 14, 2015"

Djokovic did a solid job of attacking Federer's serve, and he earned 13 break points. Djokovic was successful on seven of them.

The two top players in the world have a sensational rivalry. They have met 42 times, and each player has won 21 times.

However, in the biggest matches the momentum has swung to Djokovic. He defeated Federer at the Wimbledon final in July, and that match was also a four-setter. 

It has also been a sensational year for Djokovic, as he won three of the four Grand Slam titles. In addition to winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, he finished second to Wawrinka in the French Open.

In his on-court interview televised by ESPN, Djokovic graciously paid homage to Federer, calling him "the greatest player of all time" and saying the two players bring out the best in each other. Federer was equally appreciative of Djokovic's great talent. 

"

Can't think of other sport that would equal Djokovic, Federer for graciousness.

— Kevin Paul Dupont (@GlobeKPD) September 14, 2015"

Djokovic, however, was fighting more than "the greatest player" in the rain-delayed match. The New York crowd was overwhelmingly in favor of Federer, to the point where the patrons were cheering when Djokovic would serve a fault.

David Goldman/Associated Press

That seemed to get under Djokovic's skin to a degree, but he held it together and steeled himself to win the biggest points. Federer missed several forehand shots that he usually converts, while Djokovic often came through whenever it looked like Federer would have his opportunity.

There may be an inevitability in future Grand Slam championships when the two men meet. Djokovic is 28 years old and at the height of his powers, while Federer is 34. It's fair to ask how much more he can continue to play at such a high level.