5 best US Open finals of all time

3) 1988 Men’s final – Mats Wilander vs Ivan Lendl

Wilander celebrates his win while Lendl has had the same expression ever since

The 1988 US Open final between Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl was the longest final in the history of the tournament. It was bound to be, as 2 of the best baseliners in the game went up against each other for a prized trophy. The Czech, Lendl, was the World No.1 for 159 consecutive weeks and was gunning for a 4^th straight title at Flushing Meadows, while Wilander was still searching for his maiden US Open title.

In a match characterised by long baseline rallies, no quarter was ceded by both players. The fortunes see-sawed – Wilander won the first set 6-4, Lendl won the 2^nd 6-4. Wilander edged ahead in the 3^rd but Lendl again fought back in the 4^th.

But Wilander’s willingness to approach the net when the rallies started to prolong would ultimately settle the 5^th set in the Swede’s favour. After a gruelling four hours and 54 minute final that finished 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, Wilander would reign supreme and become the first Swede to win the US Open – a feat the great Bjorn Borg couldn’t achieve.