US Open men's final 2017: Rafael Nadal beats Kevin Anderson in straight sets for sixteenth Grand Slam title
Top-seed Nadal beat Anderson 6-3 6-3 6-4 in the US Open final
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Rafael Nadal proved far too good for Kevin Anderson as he claimed a 16th grand slam title at the US Open.
The world number one lived up to his billing as the heavy favourite with a 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory over surprise finalist Anderson.
It completed a throwback year in men's tennis at the slams, with Nadal and Roger Federer claiming all the titles between them for the first time since 2010.
Nadal has once again closed to within three of Federer's all-time record of 19 slam singles titles, while the 'big four' can now lay claim to 46 of the last 51.
There have been highs and lows in New York since Nadal's maiden title seven years ago but this was one of his most dominant performances, with the 31-year-old losing just 15 points on serve in the match and not facing a single break point.
Relive all of the live action below.
What time is it?
The final is expected to start at 9pm BST. That's 4pm in New York.
What have they been saying?
Rafael Nadal
“For me, what is more important than winning Slams is to be happy.
“I am happy if I am healthy and happy if I feel competitive in most of the weeks that I am playing, and that's what happened this year.
“Of course winning or losing that final is a big change, but I am very happy about all the things that happen to me and I am going to fight to win another title here.
“But it's still been a great season for me.”
Kevin Anderson
“I knew in my mind there was opportunity there, but I must be honest, I didn't focus really too much on that.
“We are sort of accustomed to the few guys doing well, exceptional consistency.
“It's tough beating those guys because they have had so much experience at this level.
“Even with them out, there have still been a lot of challenges I've had to face throughout this week. I have faced some of the best tennis players in the world.”
Odds
Nadal to win: 1/8
Anderson to win: 11/2
Anderson* 3-3 Nadal
Another quick service game, although Anderson had a good chance at 15-30 to bring up two break points only to send his backhand return a fraction too long.
Nadal fights back and holds. 3-3.
Anderson 3-4 Nadal*
Finally, Nadal has his breakthrough!
It’s taking the Spaniard 47-minutes but he’s finally broken Anderson. And the underdog will be disappointed with how his resistance was finally ended. At deuce, he double-faulted to giftwrap Nadal a break point, before charging the net and blasting a passing shot well wide of the line to fall 4-3 behind in the opening set.
Anderson* 3-5 Nadal
Another very quick service game. Nadal has only lost four points on his serve so far. He holds to love.
Anderson 3-6 Nadal*
Wow. Anderson is 40-30 up in this service game and on the verge of an important hold. But Nadal then chases down his forehand down the line before hitting an absolutely phenomenal cross-court winner, which spits under Anderson’s lunge into the corner of the court.
Nadal wins the next point for his umpteenth break point and has a chance to take the first set.
And he wins it with a superb drop-volley at the net, after pushing Anderson right the way to the back of the court.
Rafa Nadal wins the first set 6-3.
Anderson* 3-6, 0-1 Nadal
Nadal holds to love. He's racing through his service games this evening.
Anderson 3-6, 1-1 Nadal*
That’s better from Anderson! After those titanic service games early on, which were followed up with two breaks of serve, he finally manages an easy hold.
Nadal wins just one point, losing the game with a very flat forehand return which fails to clear the net.
Anderson* 3-6, 1-2 Nadal
The first set took an age to finish but the second is zipping by.
Nadal is pushed a little bit as Anderson takes him to 30-all, but the Spaniard then hits an unreturnable first service before pushing Anderson into an error from the baseline.
It's still on serve in the second set.
Anderson 3-6, 2-2 Nadal*
Anderson holds to 15! The South African is serving very well in this second set and hasn't handed Nadal any freebies just yet.
Anderson* 3-6, 2-3 Nadal
Anything you can do…
Nadal holds to love. He’s lost just six points on his serve all evening.
Six!
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