Djokovic beat Del Potro to win U.S. Open

A clinical Novak Djokovic dismissed Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3 7-6(4) 6-3 to collect his third U.S. Open title on Sunday, giving him 14 Grand Slams to move into a tie for third on the all-time list alongside Pete Sampras.

A season that started gloomily with elbow surgery after the Australian Open is turning into a brilliant finish for the 31-year-old Serb who has now won three of his last four events including back-to-back majors at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.

Over the last eight weeks Djokovic has resembled the Grand Slam machine that held all four major titles at the same time in 2016.

When I had the surgery of my elbow earlier this year I could truly understand what Juan Martin was going through, Djokovic said at the trophy ceremony, referring to the Argentine’s long battles with injury.

You learn from adversity … when you have doubtful moments when things are not working out as you want (them) to.

The sixth seed had suffered in the ferocious heat and humidity through the early days of the season’s final Grand Slam but dropped only two sets for the tournament and none since the second round.