US Open 2017: Rafael Nadal defeats Kevin Anderson in men's singles final, wins 3rd title at Flushing Meadows

World Number Rafael Nadal defeated Kevin Anderson in the men's singles finals on Sunday to win the 2017 US Open title. Nadal beat the big serving South African in the title clash played out in front of a jam packed Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA in Flushing Meadows, New York. Nadal who had won the US Open in 2010 and 2013 added a third US Open crown to his kitty.

Nadal's win at the last major of the year also won him his 16th Grand Slam title and closed on the gap between him and the all time leader Roger Federer. Nadal had beaten Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in the semis to book a place in the final. Meanwhile, Kevin Anderson became the first South African to play in the US Open finals since 1965. Anderson had beaten Spain's P Carreno Busta in the semis to book his maiden berth in a final of a slam.

Read more: Pro-Kabaddi League: Bengaluru Bulls defeat Puneri Paltan 24-20

Rafael Nadal has been in stupendous form all through the tournament. Nadal was a little patchy in his opening rounds dropping a set against L Mayer and T Daniel but got back into his groove trouncing A. Dolgopolov in the fourth round to seal a quarter-final berth. Nadal trounced upcoming Russian teenager A Rublev in the quarters and then fended off a strong challenge from Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro in the semis to make it to the summit clash.

Nadal rounded off a brilliant 2017 season at the slams which saw him winning the French Open and reaching the finals of the Australian Open at the beginning of the year.The Spaniard also returned to the top of the ATP world rankings.