Rafael Nadal has won a titanic tussle to secure a fourth US Open crown and 19th grand slam men’s singles title to edge to within one of Roger Federer’s all-time record tally.

Confirming himself as much more than the king of clay, Nadal resisted a fierce fightback from Daniil Medevev to end the Russian’s breakout run with an epic 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 victory over the fifth seed in Sunday’s final.

Only Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors, with five titles each, have reigned more times than Nadal in New York in the 51-year open era.