NEW YORK — World number one Novak Djokovic overcame a bloody tumble to win the opening set of the best-of-five U.S. Open men's final 6-4 against grand slam king Roger Federer on Sunday.
Federer, the 17-times grand slam winner who had lost just two service games in his six matches in the championship, was broken twice by Djokovic, one of the best returners in tennis, in his first four service games.
The rivals took the court after a three-hour delay to the start due to rain at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic took an early lead when he broke second seed Federer in the third game on his third break point after a long rally to take a 2-1 lead.