Defending champion Novak Djokovic swept into his third consecutive US Open final, setting up a title showdown with Andy Murray, with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over David Ferrer yesterday.

Ferrer had led 5-2 in the first set overnight when the semi-final was suspended due to violent storms which battered New York, but Djokovic thrived under clear blue skies yesterday, allowing the Spaniard just eight more games.

The victory gave the second-seeded Serb a year-leading 60th win and extended his winning run at hardcourt Grand Slams to 27 matches.

Djokovic will be aiming for a sixth major in today’s final while third-seed Murray, who trails the Serb 8-6 in career meetings, is bidding to become Britain’s first men’s Grand Slam champion since Fred Perry in 1936. Victory by the Serb in the championship match would mean 30 out of the last 31 majors have been won by either Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.

“We were all praying for less wind today. He handled it better than I did on Saturday but I came into this match a different player,” said Djokovic.

“Against Andy, there will be no clear favourite. He’s going for a first Grand Slam and will be very motivated. Hopefully we will both come up with our best tennis.”

Ferrer quickly wrapped up the opening set on resumption yesterday before Djokovic, who hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament, made the fourth seed pay, racing into a 5-0 lead in the second.

Ferrer saved three set points in the seventh game before the champion levelled the semi-final.

Ferrer briefly rallied for 2-2 in the third set before the Serb broke again for 4-3, going on to serve two love games to take the set with a fifth ace of the contest.

Two more comfortable breaks allowed Djokovic to sweep to a 3-0 advantage in the fourth set as Ferrer wilted under a relentless barrage of pinpoint groundstrokes.

Women’s doubles final: Errani/Vinci bt Hlavackova/Hradecka 6-4, 6-2.

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