Tennis: Rain gives Djokovic another day's recovery from semi-final

A RAIN dance from Novak Djokovic had the desired effect as his US Open tennis final with Rafael Nadal was delayed until today.

Persistent rain in New York yesterday meant the two players never even made it onto the court and forced play into an extra day for a third year in succession at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic recovered from two sets to one down and saved two match points to beat Roger Federer in five sets in Saturday's semi-finals.

Nadal had the benefit of playing in the first semi-final and taking just two hours and 13 minutes to beat Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets before sitting back and watching Djokovic and Federer slug it out for three hours and 44 minutes.

Told rain was forecast for yesteday, Djokovic had laughed and said: "Really? I don't know the rituals to invite the rain but an extra day would be great.

"I am tired, there's no secret about that. For four sets I was okay but the fifth set was very intensive mentally and physically and took a lot out of me.

"But in the end it's a remarkable win and I'm sure I will find the strength to give my best."

On Saturday, Kim Clijsters retained the women's title with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Vera Zvonareva.