Rafael Nadal mounted a serious threat for year-end world number one status after the Spaniard lifted his 10th title of the season with a 6—2, 3—6, 6—4, 6—1 defeat of Novak Djokovic to win a second US Open title on Monday.

The 2010 champion in New York, who only began his 2013 season in February after seven months of knee injury absence, claimed the 13th title of his career at a grand slam, moving to within four of all-time leader Roger Federer.

Spain’s emotional Nadal dropped to his knees and rolled on the cement of the Ashe stadium like it was his favourite clay after securing victory in just under three-and-a-half hours against his world number one Serbian rival.

“This season is probably the most emotional one in my career. I felt that I did everything right to have my chance here,” said Nadal.

“To play one of the best players of the history – probably on his favourite surface – I had to be almost perfect to win.

“This trophy means a lot to me, it’s just amazing. I’m very, very happy.” Nadal has now won 10 titles this season, going unbeaten in 22 consecutive hard-court matches in 2013. The 26-year-old stands a solid 60-3 as the season of his life moved into the autumn phase.

“Between Novak and me, every point is fighting, every point is long rally, every point is more strategy. This is very tough.

“The matches are very special, very tough. The player who is able to play with a little bit more determination in the important moments, will be the player that will win. Today I had that feeling.” Nadal won the opening set, dropped the second but came back to win the last two – the fourth lasted only 40 minutes against a fading Djokovic – to add the trophy to the one he lifted at the event in 2010.

The Spaniard finished with 27 winners and just 20 unforced errors while Djokovic committed 53 mistakes, converting on just three of 11 break chances. Nadal broke seven times from his dozen opportunities, including twice in the fourth set.

Djokovic sent a forehand wide with most of the court available to him to yield two Nadal match points, with the Spaniard claiming the victory on his first from the Serb’s forehand into the net.

Djokovic, who won the January Australian Open, played finals in three of the four grand slams this season, He fell to 22—15 against Nadal, who has won six of their last seven matches dating to January, 2012.

“It’s a US Open final and at the end of the day I have to be satisfied with the final, even though I would have loved to win this match tonight,” said Djokovic.

“But it was obvious that in the important moments he played better tennis, and that’s why he deserved to win.

“I congratulate him, and I move on.” Nadal was playing a final for the 12th time in his last 13 tournaments in 2013. He came to the title match having been broken only once and lifted the trophy with the loss of just two sets over the fortnight. He now owns 60 career titles.

Djokovic was the first player to reach four straight New York finals since Roger Federer advanced to six straight from 2004-09 (winning five). Djokovic was playing his 12th grand slam final and stands 6—6 in that category. The loss was his ninth of the season against 50 wins.

“All the credit to him,” said the Serb. “I had my momentum from midway second set to end of the third where I was supposed to use for the opportunities that were presented to me.

“I didn’t do it, I didn’t deserve to win in the end.”

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