His second title in New York was his third major of the year to add to the Australian Open and Wimbledon victories.

With the first set tied at 2-2 Federer took the advantage by getting four quick points but Djokovic bounced back to make it 4-5 before taking the final game of his serve to win the first set.

“We have known each other for several years and we are good friends”. Fortunately I was able to come up with some big serves in the last game.

But far from being discouraged after Djokovic carved out a gruelling 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over three hours and 20 minutes, Federer is already planning to return to Flushing Meadows next year. I said it “seemed” disrespectful to advance so much to the second serve of an opponent. “Knowing you’re playing perhaps the best in the history of the game, that’s a bit more pressure”. He hadn’t lost a set over his last eleven matches. I am happy with where my level is at.

“So something I will work on, and keep moving forward, you know”.

There’s also this: Djokovic played nine players in the top 10 during his run, Serena only had to face three. Djokovic has some impressive achievements of his own, winning three Grand Slam titles in a season for the second time in his career after 2011.

The 34-year-old put a positive spin on his loss.

“He’s in his prime, unquestionably at the pinnacle of the game, and fully deserving of this latest accolade, a true credit to our sport”, Kermode said of Djokovic clinching the year-end top ranking for the fourth time on Monday. “It was a tough night, but still, I don’t know, thrilling at the same time”.

As he celebrated with his family and team, Djokovic sought out Scottish actor Gerard Butler, a friend who was watching from the stand.

“It feels like it has moved in the right direction”.

From the moment they finally started, it was clear that each had brought his best tennis. The 28-year-old Serb, who took six of his 13 opportunities to break serve, played the big points with the steely-eyed brilliance that has become his trademark.

Even so Federer left the National Tennis Center more encouraged than discouraged by his performance. He also pointed out that he had several chances in the match, but he failed to capitalize.

It was his seventh triumph in the American Midwest, achieved by beating Andy Murray and Djokovic in the semi-finals and final respectively.

With Djokovic serving at 4-5, Federer earned himself a pair of set points and couldn’t convert them.