Federer beats Nadal in epic Aussie final to win 18th major

So here was Roger Federer, down a break in the fifth set in a Grand Slam final. Across the net was his nemesis, Rafael Nadal, the left-handed Spaniard he hadn't been able to beat in a major final in almost a decade.

The 35-year-old father of four was back in his first tour-level tournament after six months off letting his injured left knee recover, and he hadn't won any of the big four events in tennis since Wimbledon 2012. Nadal was returning from injury, too, and somehow the pair had renewed the Roger-Rafa rivalry in a throwback Australian Open final that transcended sport.

The Latest: US Open champ Wawrinka notes 9/11 in victory

The Latest on the U.S. Open (all times local):

8:45 p.m.

U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka took time out at the end of his victory speech to remember the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"It's been a big battle on the court ... four hours," Wawrinka told the crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium after defeating No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. "But I just want to remember what happened 15 years ago."

The Swiss Wawrinka's statement on court followed that of American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who won the women's doubles title with Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, and appeared to choke up during her victory speech, telling the crowd: "It's a special day today here for everybody in New York."

Djokovic names his 2016 goal the Djoker Slam

Novak Djokovic has a new goal for the year. He calls it the Djoker Slam.

The No. 1-ranked player has one thing missing from his fast-growing collection of 11 Grand Slam trophies.

"The French Open. It's the one I never won," Djokovic said early Monday, after winning his record sixth Australian Open, but already casting an eye toward Paris. "I'll try to put myself in a position to get that trophy."