Del Potro dethrones Federer at U.S. Open
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 | 12:03 AM ET
CBC Sports
Juan Martin del Potro whoops it up in Monday's U.S. Open final. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)Unheralded Juan Martin del Potro did the unthinkable in his first Grand Slam final — dethrone five-time defending champion Roger Federer to win the U.S. Open in a four-hour, five-set tussle.
Del Potro, seeded sixth, was 0-6 lifetime versus Federer, but he shocked the world's top-ranked player 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., on Monday.
The 20-year-old Argentine looked awestruck early and awesome late, while the normally steely Federer wilted and succumbed on a service break.
"I tried everything," Federer said. "Didn't work."
Trailing 5-2 in the fifth and final set, Federer staved off two championship points but double-faulted to set up a third, which he relinquished on a backhand return that sailed long.
"I had two dreams this week," del Potro said during the trophy presentation. "One was to win the U.S. Open and the other one is to be like Roger.
"One is done. But I need to improve a lot to be like you.
"You fought until the final point. You are a great champion."
It marked the first loss in 41 matches at Flushing Meadows for Federer, who was trying to become the first man to win six consecutive U.S. titles in the Open era.
Bill Tilden won the American Grand Slam tournament six times in a row from 1920 to 1925.
"Five was great. Four was great, too. Six would have been a dream, too," Federer said. "Can't have them all."
Federer was enjoying a record-setting season, winning the French Open and Wimbledon in five sets to break the all-time record for men's singles with 15 Grand Slam titles.
The Swiss superstar lost the Australian Open final in five sets to Rafael Nadal, but he set an ATP Tour record at the U.S. Open by passing the $50-million US mark in career earnings.
Federer was bidding to become the first man since the legendary Rod Laver in 1969 to win three straight Grand Slam titles and, though he was 2-5 versus Nadal in Grand Slam finals, he was 13-0 against everyone else.
But del Potro wasn't the least bit intimidated and gained confidence as the match wore on.
"It is always an amazing effort coming through and winning in your first final," Federer said. "Give him all the credit because it is not an easy thing to do, especially coming out against someone like me with so much experience."
del Potro tidbits
- At age 6, he took up tennis in Tandil outside Buenos Aires
- At 6-foot-6, he is among the tallest players on ATP Tour
- At 17, the youngest on tour to finish season in Top 200
- At 18, the youngest on tour to finish season in Top 100
- Won four straight tourneys in 2008 in Stuttgart, Kitzbuehel, Los Angeles & Washington
- Lost in five sets to Federer in French Open semifinals
- Won in five sets over Federer in the final of U.S. Open
'He was a better man'
Del Potro made an alarming number of unforced errors early on, yet Federer wasn't razor sharp — television analyst John McEnroe called him "flat" — and never pulled away with customary flair.
"I got off to a good start and had many more chances to make a difference," Federer said, noting he converted just five of 22 break points. "He hung in there and gave himself chances and, in the end, he was a better man."
"In the beginning of my match, I was so nervous," del Potro admitted. "Roger started very good.
"I was down, missing badly with my serve and that is an important weapon in my game. Then I started believing in my game and it changed."
Del Potro began showing flashes of the form that carried him to his first Grand Slam final in the second set, especially after Federer was unnerved by a line call that the electronic review awarded to the Argentine.
Del Potro was sparked by the ruling in his favour and rallied to force a tiebreak, which he won 7-5 on a shallow, cross-court forehand that Federer failed to chase down.
"I had him under control for the first two sets," Federer said, mindful that he is is 149-0 when he wins the first two sets in a Grand Slam match.
"I should never have lost so many chances. It was just a pity.
"If I win the second set, I'm in a great position to come through. Unfortunately, I didn't and that was it."
Del Potro handed set point in the third to Federer on a pair of untimely double faults, but the Argentine showed renewed determination as he surged ahead 4-2 in the fourth.
Federer promptly picked up the pace, holding serve and breaking del Potro to pull even at 4-4.
Federer went ahead 5-4 with an emphatic backhand and, leading 15-30 on del Potro's serve, needed just two more points to win the match and rewrite the record book.
But del Potro fended him off and later forced a tiebreak, which he won 7-4.
With files from The Associated Press
