Del Potro dethrones Federer in US
- Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 13:41
- Tennis
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Juan Martin del Potro ends the five-year unbeaten US Open reign of Roger Federer in five sets to win his first Grand Slam title.The 20-year-old sixth seed twice fought back from a set down to win 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2. Del Potro is the first man other than Rafael Nadal to beat Federer in the final of a Grand Slam tournament. Swiss star Federer, 28, had been going for a record-equalling sixth consecutive title at Flushing Meadows. American Bill Tilden achieved the feat in 1925. But Federer found Del Potro, in a Grand Slam final for the first time, in determined mood as he became the second Argentine to win the US title after Guillermo Vilas, who was in the Arthur Ashes Stadium to witness his compatriot’s victory.
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Del Potro hails ‘unbelievable’ win
“I had two dreams this week,” said Del Potro. “One was to win the US Open and the other one is to be like Roger. “One is done, but I need to improve a lot to be like you,” he said, looking at the five-time champion. “You fought until the final point. You are a great champion. I’m very happy to be here with this crown, with these people, on this court. This will be in my mind forever.” After a final that lasted four hours and six minutes, Federer said: “I would like to congratulate Juan Martin on an unbelievable tournament. I had a great one but he was the best. “I would have never believed I could win five in a row here. It has been an amazing run for me.” He added: “I was two points from the match today. That’s the way it goes sometimes. But I’ve had an unbelievable run this year. Being in all major finals and winning two of those. “Sure, I would have loved to win those two as well. But the year has been amazing already. Got married and had kids, don’t know how much more I want.”
Federer went into the match on a 40-match unbeaten run in New York, his last defeat coming against another Argentine, David Nalbandian, in the fourth round in 2003. He also held a 6-0 career record against Del Potro and was playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final, targeting a 16th major win. However, Del Potro has rocketed up the rankings over the last year and pushed Federer desperately close over five sets in the French Open semi-finals in June. His 6-2 6-2 6-2 demolition of Nadal in the semi-finals also left no-one in any doubt that he posed a real threat to Federer. The question was whether he could handle the weight of expectation in a final that Federer has dominated since 2004. The signs were not good early on as Federer converted his fifth break point of a lengthy second game with a beautiful forehand pass and went on to serve out the set. Del Potro then double-faulted twice in succession at the start of the second set to hand over another break, and the 23,000 spectators groaned as one as it appeared the younger man was crumbling under the pressure.
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