SPORTS> Photo
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SPORTS> Photo
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Federer stunned by del potro in US Open final
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-15 10:51 NEW YORK: Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina battled back to beat five-times champion Roger Federer 3-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 6-2 and win the US Open title in a stunning surprise on Monday.
The 20-year-old Argentine, who stayed alive by winning two tiebreaks, gained confidence as he moved through his first career grand slam and charged to victory, breaking Federer in the last game to end their four-hour, six-minute struggle. The 6-foot-6 (1.98 m) Del Potro lay down on his back and covered his tear-streaked face with his hands after the 28-year-old Swiss sailed a backhand long on the Argentine's third championship point. "I had two dreams this week," the sixth-seeded Del Potro said at the trophy presentation. "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 Federer, winner of a record 15 major titles. "You fought until the final point. You are a great champion.
Del Potro became the second Argentine to win the US men's crown, joining compatriot Guillermo Vilas, who won on clay in 1977, and was watching the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Argentine had never beaten Federer in six previous meetings, losing to the Swiss master in the semi-finals of the French Open after taking a two sets to one lead. Early Jitters Del Potro overcame some early jitters and a first set that saw him struggle with his first serves and heavy forehand in breezy conditions at the National Tennis Center. But as the match wore on, the young Argentine began to find the range and fire away.
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