Juan Martin del Potro hits new heights with dream victory over irate Roger Federer

Chris Jones
15 Sep 2009

Juan Martin del Potro ended Roger Federer's domination of the US Open with an extraordinary 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory in the final and then declared: “I've achieved my dream.”

The 20-year-old Argentine put in a stunning display to stop the world No1 claiming a record-equalling sixth consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

Federer had won 40 matches in a row in New York but last night the Swiss lost the contest and his cool, twice using the f' word at the umpire to vent his anger over a late use of Hawk-Eye by Del Potro.

That controversy could not take the shine off the sixth seed's victory, which was witnessed by compatriot Guillermo Vilas, who was the last South American to win the title in 1977.

An emotional Del Potro collapsed to the court after winning the match in four hours and six minutes.

He said: “Since I was young I have dreamed about taking the trophy with me. I've achieved my dream, and it's an unbelievable moment. It was an amazing match.

“When I laid down on the floor, many things came to my mind. First my family and my friends and then everything else. It's the best sensation ever. I just want to live this moment. I now have opportunities to win the other grand slams. After all, I beat Nadal, Federer and many good players here so maybe I can do that one more time.”

Del Potro, playing in his first grand slam final, suffered a nightmare start as he lost his first service game and then the opening set but he showed resilience to level the match on a second set tie-break.

The contest swung back Federer's way after controversy at a key moment in the third set.

With the Swiss 5-4 up, he complained to chair umpire Jake Garner that his opponent had exceeded the time allowed to make a Hawk-Eye challenge.

“Don't you have any rules for this?” Federer asked Garner, whose response took the tension up a notch when he told the top seed to be quiet. Federer was incensed and used expletives after saying to Garner: “Don't tell me to be quiet. If I want to speak I'll speak.”

The row unsettled Del Potro, who twice double-faulted to lose the set and appeared on his way to a seventh successive defeat to Federer.

However, he suddenly rediscovered his confidence and fired off a series of stunning forehand winners. Del Potro said: “When I lost the third set I start to think bad things. But one more time the crowd and the fans helped me to fight until the last point.”

Federer's foul language will not have the same negative impact created by Serena Williams's rant against a lineswoman on Saturday which saw her fined £6,000, but it took some of the gloss off his tennis year; one that has seen him win two slam titles.

The 28-year-old said: “You know what I think about Hawk-Eye. It shouldn't be there in the first place.”

But Federer refused to be downcast after his defeat. “Five US Opens was great, four was great, too. Six would have been a dream, too. Can't have them all.

“I have had an amazing summer and a great run and I am not too disappointed just because I played another wonderful tournament.”

Del Potro and Federer could meet again in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 in November, as the Argentine's victory confirmed his place at the end-of-season tournament.

Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have also qualified for the London event, which will feature the world's top eight men players.