The Swiss top seed and world number one defeated the emerging Serbian 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to move past Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg and equal Roy Emerson's feat of 12 grand slam titles at the age of 26. Federer now stands two short of Pete Sampras's record haul of 14.

The first set opened in cracking style as Djokovic took the first two points off Federer's serve. Federer served a double fault at the start of 11th game to signal the first break as Djokovic moved into a 6-5 lead but the third seed lost his nerve as his opponent saved five set points.

Having blown a golden opportunity, the Serbian's sometimes fragile temper resurfaced during the tie-break as Djokovic nearly throw his racquet after losing the first point on Federer's serve. Federer served to 2-2 but Djokovic won a mini-break on the next point.

The joy was shortlived as Federer won back the lost point and the 20-year-old this time tossed his racquet to the ground. The next service point was also lost and Federer quickly earned three set points and took the set with the second, seven points to four after 55 minutes of play.

It was Djokovic once again who made the first move of the second set, breaking Federer in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead and held serve to love in the next. But the third seed produced some sloppy shots that allowed Federer to break back to love on serve at 4-3.

At 6-5 up in the second, Djokovic earned two set points, the first of which was rubbed out by a Federer ace. Djokovic was then denied by the smallest of margins as he sent a forehand toward the baseline that was called long. Federer took the set into another tie-break.

The tie-break, though, saw Federer step up a gear on serve, not needing a second serve as Djokovic struggled to get the ball back. The champion then showed a thumping forehand to give himself four set points and an equally impressive backhand moved him two sets up at the first opportunity.

Djokovic again forced the issue in the third set, moving to 40-15 up in the fifth game and a break point. But he left a Federer forehand he believed to be out only for no out call to follow. He challenged and lost as the electronic review determined the ball clipped the line.

Federer fought back to hold with an ace an at 5-4 down, Djokovic served to save the match but double faulted again at deuce to hand Federer his first match point. The number three saved it with a great forehand winner but Federer was handed another match point and would not be denied.