US Open: How the men’s and women’s finals were settled

And a look ahead to the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal swept aside Kevin Anderson to win the men’s US Open title last night. It was Nadal’s third triumph at Flushing Meadows and his 16^th Grand Slam in total.

The final was a totally one-sided contest and Nadal won in straight sets. Anderson just couldn’t compete with Nadal’s quality or fitness.

The Spaniard only lost 15 points on serve during the entire match and didn’t have to face a single break point.

It’s been a remarkable season for Nadal. He won a a record 10^th French Open title back in June. It’s the first time he’s won two of the four big tournaments in the same year since 2013.

His success is even more impressive as he ended his 2016 season early because of injury. At the time, there were doubts over whether he would be able to return to his best. He’s decisively answered those questions.

Nadal’s great rival Roger Federer won the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.

They were expected to face each other at the US Open for the first time in this year’s semi-finals. However, Federer lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the last eight. The 36-year-old had struggled with a back injury in the build-up to the tournament.

Super Stephens

In the women’s draw, Sloane Stephens completed her own remarkable comeback to win on Saturday.

The 24-year-old missed 11 months of action and had surgery in January to recover from a stress fracture in her right foot.

It only took Stephens 61 minutes to beat fellow American Madison Keys 6-3 6-0 in the final.