Rafael Nadal sends major warning to Roger Federer after US Open triumph

Rafael Nadal has inflicted a huge blow on Roger Federer with his 19th career grand slam title.

Nadal broke down in tears after winning a titanic battle to secure a fourth US Open crown and 19th major - edging to within one of Federer's all-time record tally of 20.

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Confirming himself as much more than the king of clay, Nadal resisted a fierce fightback from Daniil Medevev to end the Russian's breakout run with an epic 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 victory over the fifth seed in Sunday's final.

Only Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors, with five titles each, have reigned more times than Nadal in New York in the 51-year open era.

However Nadal now has all four of his US Open titles this decade, compared to zero for Federer in the same period.

"That's so important for me. This victory means a lot, especially the way the match became so difficult, so tough," Nadal said.

"I was able to hold the nerves because the nerves were so high. It's been a crazy match.

"It's difficult to speak. I don't know, I'm just emotional. Sorry."

The great Spaniard's four hour and 51 minute victory extended the dominance of tennis's big three of Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic to 12 straight slams.

But Nadal was forced to fight tooth and nail to prevent Medvedev from striking a massive blow for the sport's next-gen stars.

Medvedev was striving to become the first man in his 20s to claim a singles slam since Andy Murray won his second Wimbledon title in 2016.

Riding a wave of confidence after four consecutive hardcourt finals over the American summer, 23-year-old Medvedev threatened to pull off a nigh-on impossible comeback win over the mighty Majorcan after taking the third and fourth sets.

Nadal had won more than 200 matches for just one defeat after establishing two-set leads during his glittering career.

The Muscovite, though, had Nadal on the ropes - and feuding with the chair umpire in frustration after receiving a series of time violations for exceeding the 25-second limit between points - early in the fifth set.

Even after dropping four successive games to trail 5-2 in the tense deciding set, Medvedev wasn't done.

Nadal overcomes untimely violation

Rattled by another time sanction from American official Ali Nili, Nadal double-faulted on break point to offer Medvedev a lifeline.

Alas the world No.2 proved an immovable object against the irresistible force, finally prevailing on his third match point - when the Russian's forehand return sailed over the baseline - to add another US Open trophy to go with his titles in 2010, 2013 and 2017.

"It has been an amazing final," Nadal said.

"His summer is one of the best summers I ever saw in the sport since I was playing. Tonight everybody saw why he is the No.4 in the world; only 23 years old.

"The way he was able to fight, change the rhythm of the match was amazing."

Nadal's 19th major leaves the 33-year-old in position to catch Federer at the Australian Open in January.

He's never been closer to his Swiss rival.

At one point, after he won the fourth of his five titles in New York in 2007, Federer was nine slams clear of Nadal.

Federer still had four more majors than Nadal as recent as after winning his 20th at last year's Australian Open.

But in accruing his 11th and 12th French Open titles in 2018 and 2019 - to go with twin successes at Wimbledon in 2008 and 2010, a 2009 Australian triumph - and saluting again at Flushing Meadows, the Spaniard is suddenly within striking distance of joining Federer as the most successful performer in men's grand slam history.