Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6 -- 4 , 5 -- 7 , 6 -- 4 , 6 -- 2 to win his first US Open title . Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6 -- 4 , 5 -- 7 , 6 -- 4 , 6 -- 2 to win his first career US Open title .