In decisive moments Wawrinka was a better player, admits Djokovic

Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka rose to the occasion once again to beat Novak Djokovic with a scintillating display to win his first US Open and third Grand Slam title.

Wawrinka fights back to beat Djokovic in US Open final

"This is amazing," Wawrinka said at the trophy ceremony. "I came here without the goal to win it, but every time I step on the court I tried my best to win every match.

"I think I played quite a lot of tennis these two weeks, I am completely empty. I had to bring everything I had today against Novak. It was so much emotion."

It was another Flushing Meadows disappointment for Djokovic, who in seven trips to the US Open final has twice won the title and finished runner-up five times.

"He is a great champion and deserves to win this title," the 12-time Slam winning Serb said in congratulating Wawrinka.

"We played almost four hours and we both felt it. We both felt the demanding match we played today physically but he came out on top. In the decisive moments he was a better player, he was tougher mentally."

Djokovic who won the first set tiebreak 7-1 by running off the last five points, saluted Wawrinka as a "big match" player. The Swiss has won three of their seven Grand Slam encounters.

"He loves to play in the big matches," Djokovic said. "He comes up with his best game. He's so solid from both corners. He's got a good slice and amazing one-handed backhand, all corners. Big serve. Moves well. He's a very complete player."

The victory was worth $3.5 million for Wawrinka, who is only missing a Wimbledon victory to complete the coveted career Grand Slam.

He is a perfect three-for-three in Grand Slam finals.