Novak Djokovic, world No. 1, capped off an incredible season Monday night by winning his third Grand Slam title of the year. Djokovic hoisted the US Open trophy after defeating defending champion Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1.

Djokovic had a near-perfect season, only losing two matches over the course of the year, going 64-2 and winning three Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and now the US Open.

In the long and grueling championship match against Nadal, which lasted over four hours, the athletic Serbian landed 55 winners and won a total of 146 points. Most importantly, he outlasted Nadal throughout the match, which was a slugfest. During the never-ending rallies from the baseline and volleys at the net, both players had to reach deep into their reserves in order to come up with the winner, and time after time it was Djokovic who found that extra bit of energy and muscle to notch the point.

While Nadal leads Djokovic in their head-to-head match-up, 16-13, Djokovic got the best of the Spaniard in 2011, winning all six of their matches this year.