Feisty foe stands in the way of Spaniard completing dream year

Rafael Nadal will attempt to crown the year's most compelling comeback when he meets world No 1 Novak Djokovic for the 37th time in Monday's US Open final.

Twelve months ago, the swashbuckling Spaniard, who will be playing in his 18th Grand Slam final, sat at home in Manacor, nursing his troublesome knees and fearing his career may be finished at just 26.