( CNN ) -- Rafael Nadal is back . After battling a knee injury which threatened to derail his glittering career , the Spaniard is back on track and back on top following a 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 win over world No . 1 Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final . The second seed recovered from losing the second set and emerged victorious from an energy-sapping third to win his 13th grand slam and his 22nd consecutive hard-court match . The Mallorcan , who added the Flushing Meadows title to the French Open crown he clinched earlier this year , now trails only Pete Sampras ( 14 ) and his great rival Roger Federer ( 17 ) in the list of all-time major winners . He also now holds a significant lead over Djokovic in the race to end 2013 at the top of the world rankings . Not bad for a player whose ability to compete at the highest level was called into question in June after a straight-sets defeat to 135th-ranked Steve Darcis in the first round of Wimbledon . `` I never thought something like this could happen , I 'm so excited to be back on tour trying to be competitive , '' Nadal told the U.S. Open 's official website after avenging his final defeat to Djokovic in the 2011 final . `` But I never thought about competing for what I have competed for this year , all the Masters 1000s , two grand slams ... so it is just more than a dream for me . `` I 'm very happy for everything . It 's true that I worked , but you need luck to be where I am today . '' Blog : Can Serena become the greatest ever ? Six-time grand slam champion Djokovic has now tasted defeat in consecutive U.S. Open finals , his latest disappointment coming after his loss to Andy Murray in the 2012 title match . In fact , the Serb has been in four consecutive finals of the New York grand slam , his only victory coming against Nadal two years ago . `` All the credit to him , '' said Djokovic after the 37th meeting between the two players . `` I had my momentum from midway through the second set to end of the third where I was supposed to use it and realize the opportunities that were presented to me . `` I did n't do it . I did n't deserve to win in the end . `` It 's obviously disappointing to lose a match like this , but again it was a huge privilege and honor to be fighting for this trophy . ''
Rafael Nadal wins second U.S. Open title , a grand slam . He won three of four sets , losing only the fifth . He has a triumphant return from his injury .