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Argentine Juan Martin del Potro took over the World No. 1 Roger Federer for a 3 -6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Roger Federer who had contested in 20 Grand Slams before this shattering defeat, had lost only to Rafael Nadal
Federer had taken over the Argentine 6 straight times before this, but during that time del Potro lacked fitness and did not believe that when crunch time came he would have more answers.
Once he overcame the nervousness of the playing against the World No. 1, he out-played one of the largest players of US Open history.
“Five was great, four was great, too,” said Federer, who won Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year but fell in Australia and New York. “Six would have been a dream, too. Can't have them all. I've had an amazing summer and a great run. I'm not too disappointed just because I thought I played another wonderful tournament. Had chances today to win but couldn't take them. It was unfortunate. I thought he hung in there and gave himself chances and, in the end, was the better man.”
Del Potro maintained his forehand, despite Federer's is oh-so-dangerous, but made the right decision, as he ended the contest with 37 forehand winners to just 20 from Federer
During the sixth game of the fourth set, after chasing down a Federer blast near the wall and curling it for a forehand winner around the net post, he scooted around, high-fiving the crowd.
He faced down Federer in the second-set tiebreaker by blasting an inside-out forehand winner to take the set. But he was not able to make it in the third set.
“When I lost the third set, going to break up, I start to think bad things,” del Potro said. “It was so difficult to keep trying to keep fighting. But one more time, the crowd and the fans helped me a lot to fight until last point. I think I have to say thank you to everyone for that."
He broke Federer early with a wicked forehand cross-court passing shot to 2-0, and at his third match point at 5-2, hit another heavy forehand that a defensive Federer couldn't handle.
“My dream done. It's over,” said del Potro, who became the first Argentine male to win the title since Guillermo Vilas in 1977. “I will go home with a trophy, and it's my best sensation ever in my life.
"I didn't have the experiences in these types of matches. Last night was terrible. I couldn't sleep. I was playing the best player ever in such a big stadium and in a Grand Slam final, and it weighed heavily on me. But I knew I had to keep fighting because it was Grand Slam final, and the crowd was supporting me so much that they deserved it. They lifted me, and finally I was able to turn it around mentally. It was an amazing match, amazing people. Everything is perfect.”
Del Potro is only the fourth player since Federer won his first major at 2003 Wimbledon to break the Nadal-Federer stranglehold at the majors. Del Potro is the first guy to beat Nadal and Federer back-to-back at a major.
That should clearly make him a significant part of the conversation in years to come in his beloved New York.
“Of course, I will be in the history of this tournament,” del Potro said. "That's amazing for me. I have new opportunities in the other Grand Slams to win because if I did here, if I beat Nadal, Federer and many good players, maybe I can do one more time.”
