NOVAK DJOKOVIC bt Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1, US Open Men's Singles Final 2011

Wow! That was worth staying up for. It was certainly a classic and among the best I've ever seen, even though it didn't last the distance. Novak even had an opportunity to serve for the match in the third set itself, and even if it had ended there I would've still described it as a classic. The quality of tennis was mind-boggling and though it was one-sided, in the sense Djokovic outplayed Nadal, it wasn't an easy-ride. Think of the 2008 French Open Final between Nadal and Federer as a contrast in which the Spaniard won in straight sets by pulverising the Swiss into submission and wiping the red clay with him. This match was brutal, lasting 4h10 but it could easily have lasted over five hours had Nadal maintained the momentum he gained in the third. As it was, the last set was a bit of an anti-climax as the Serbian World Number 1 streamrolled his way to a third Grand Slam singles title for the year and sixth consecutive victory over Rafa in 2011 (all of them in finals). With just two losses all season (one of them in which he retired, the other to Federer in the French Open S/F), it's fair to say this has been one of the greatest achievements in the history of sport. And to cap it off, he marries a gorgeous lass next month!

The Best Fortnight of Sport

I wish there was a job that existed along the lines of "Professional Sport Armchair Spectator" because not only would I be very good at it, but I'd also bring two decades worth of extensive work experience. It occurred to me that in the past ten days, I have been smothered with at least one match/race of all the sports and teams which I follow and/or love. Starting with cricket, India and England have been in action, in football both England and Liverpool have flattered to deceive (as usual), Federer's lost at the US Open, Usain Bolt got disqualified from one race, won another and helped set a world record in a third, while the Rugby World Cup got underway and Sebastian Vettel won yet another Formula One race. Sportsgasmic!

My tweets

• Mon, 14:37: RT @StuartBroad8: Bad news on the shoulder, torn a muscle, I know which one, just can't spell it. #gutted
• Mon, 14:39: Hope the Djoker that turned up at the Wimbledon Final makes a reappearance tonight. Can't be having Nadal winning the US Open! #tennis
• Mon, 14:45: RT @BBCLondon949: On drive: It's been announced that #ChaseFarm hospital in North London will lose it's A&E and maternity units. Will u ...
• Mon, 14:47: So sad to hear news of A&E & maternity closures @ Chase Farm. Dad worked there in early 80s & sis was born there. Lovely hospital. #Enfield
• Mon, 14:51: RT @tpsjones: MP Nick de Bois attacks health secretary Andrew Lansley for Chase Farm decision (From Enfield Independent) http://t.co/wuHQJpM
• Mon, 14:53: BOO you, Andrew Lansley! >> BBC News - Ministers agree to controversial hospital shake-up http://t.co/fbvvSr5
• Mon, 19:22: According to Hansard, earliest mention of football: 1824 (http://t.co/o6d5ULH). Earliest mentioned of soccer: 1927 (http://t.co/stXqezY).
• Mon, 21:08: #QPR fans already singing There's Only One Joey Barton? #nufc #epl #mondaynightfootball
• Mon, 21:09: RT @HomeOfCricket: Day night, first-class cricket with a pink ball has made its debut in the #LVCC http://t.co/EY61JOl)
• Mon, 21:52: Bloody hell. Novak Djokovic is making Nadal look like an amateur. Lightning can strike twice. #usopen #tennis

( Read more... )