Novak Djokovic's next target and Serena Williams second best: US Open talking points

Nadal's No 1 ranking next goal for Djokovic and Osaka has the talent to enjoy the spotlight again

The US flag is displayed before Novak Djokovic of Serbia battles Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their 2018 US Open men's singles final match in New York. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball during his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia serves the ball during his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. EPA

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentin. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts as he plays Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. EPA

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts as he plays Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. EPA

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts on court against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their Men's Singles Finals match of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 9, 2018. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Novak Djokovic of Serbia pauses while playing Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their 2018 US Open men's singles final match on September 9, 2018 in New York. (Photo by kena betancur / AFP)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia falls to the court in celebration after his victory over Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their 2018 US Open men's singles final match on September 9, 2018 in New York. (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP)

epa07009353 Novak Djokovic of Serbia (L) and Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina at the net after the men's final on the fourteenth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA/JUSTIN LANE *** Local Caption *** 53000073

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with his wife Jelena Djokovic after winning his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

epa07009437 Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina after the men's final on the fourteenth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA/JASON SZENES *** Local Caption *** 53000073

epa07009432 Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the men's final on the fourteenth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 09 September 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA/JASON SZENES *** Local Caption *** 53000073

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with his box after winning his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Julian Finney/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the championship trophy after winning his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his victory over Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their 2018 US Open men's singles final match on September 9, 2018 in New York. (Photo by Don EMMERT / AFP)

No 1 the next goal for Djokovic

It took a little longer then expected but Novak Djokovic is back to being the dominant force of men's tennis.

His US Open title victory over Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday was his second successive grand slam success after winning Wimbledon and puts him up to No 3 in the new world rankings released on Monday.

The 31-year-old Serb is the first player to win back-to-back majors since he achieved the same feat in 2016 [Australian and French Open], and he looks back to the levels that saw him sweep all before him for most of the early part of this decade.

So what next for Djokovic? Reclaiming the world No 1 spot he last held in November 2016 looks a realistic goal, depending on  his schedule for the rest of the year.

He is 2,315 points behind current No 1 Rafael Nadal, who is set for a spell on the sidelines after retiring from his US Open semi-final against Del Potro on Friday with a knee injury.

With Roger Federer, the No 2, also struggling for form, the path looks clear for an assault by Djokovic to regain top spot.

There is a lot of tennis still to be played this year, including the Shanghai and Paris Masters, and a lot of ranking points to be won.

Djokovic did not play between July and December last year, so he can only gain points from here, while both Nadal and Federer have big totals to defend. There is every possibility Djokovic, whose victory over Del Potro saw him move level with Pete Samprass on 14 grand slams, could end the year as world No 1.

Naomi Osaka won her maiden grand slam at the US Open, defeating Serena Williams in Saturday's final. Reuters

Osaka a worthy winner

It is easy to forget, given all the furore over Serena Williams, that Naomi Osaka won her first grand slam at the US Open on Saturday.

The 20 year old became the first Japanese to win a major, prevailing 6-2, 6-4 over Williams. It is a shame her achievement has been overshadowed by the drama involving Williams and her outbursts towards the umpire Carlos Ramos.

Osaka was superb in defeating Williams, holding her nerve when she could so easily have been distracted by the chaos. The way she took apart Madison Keys in the semi-finals was just as impressive.

It was not the first time Osaka had beaten Williams. She swept aside her childhood hero in straight sets in Miami in April, so Saturday's victory should not be considered a fluke, even with Williams being hit with three violations for various offences.

Osaka is young enough to win another grand slam. Hopefully she will get another chance to enjoy the spotlight and celebrate her own achievements.

Osaka's success highlights the unpredictability of the women's game; she is the eighth player to win a major in the past eight tournaments.

With confidence high after her New York triumph, Osaka, now into the WTA top 10 for the first time in her career, will look to follow in Djokovic's footsteps and win a second slam in succession at next year's Australian Open.

Serena Williams reacts during the US Open women's final in New York. EPA

Serena Williams walks back to her seat after arguing with chair umpire Carlos Ramos. AFP

Serena Williams slams her racket on the court. AP

Serena Williams sits in her seat after confronting the chair umpire. USA Today Sports

Serena Williams shouts at chair umpire Carlos Ramos. USA Today Sports

Serena Williams looks at her box during the US Open women's final. AP

Serena Williams argues with referee Brian Earley. Getty

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka after the latter's US Open victory. Getty

Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams during the US Open trophy ceremony. EPA

Serena Williams gestures towards chair umpire Carlos Ramos. EPA

Serena Williams reacts after her defeat in the US Open final. Getty

Serena Williams called the chair umpire a 'liar' and a 'thief'. USA Today Sports

Serena Williams reacts while being interviewed after her defeat in the US Open final. Getty

Williams second best

When Serena Williams looks back on her US Open final meltdown she will hopefully acknowledge most of it was born out of frustration at her own failings rather than any campaign against her or women players.

The American, chasing a record-equaling 24th grand slam title, was, rightly, upset to be penalised for receiving coaching from the stand from Patrick Mouratoglou, something she denied seeing but Mouratoglou admitted to in an interview with ESPN.

But her outbursts at the umpire should not disguise the fact Williams was second best to Osaka.

Williams said post-match she does not know what the outcome would have been if she had stayed calm and not been penalised. But to most observers Osaka was simply too good for her on the day, just as Angelique Kerber was in the Wimbledon final. The fact that Williams has reached two consecutive grand slam finals less then a year after giving birth is testament to her greatness.

When the backlash subsides - Williams was fined a total of US$17,000 (Dh62,000) by the tournament's refereeing body on Sunday - and she takes stock Williams will know she needs more consistency from her groundstrokes and better movement from the back of the court if she is to finally equal Margaret Court's 24 grand slams.

Only time will tell if Williams, at 37, still has the desire to put in the hard yards.

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Read more:

US Open champion Novak Djokovic: I owe Federer, Nadal

Naomi Osaka wins US Open after Serena Williams 'umpire thief' meltdown

Explainer: what caused Serena Williams' US Open final meltdown?

Naomi Osaka shows killer instinct, soft heart in grand slam breakthrough

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