Juan Martin del Potro Winner US Open 2009

Del Potro Stuns Federer to Win the Open
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina did what seemed to be the unthinkable on Monday night, beating Roger Federer in a dramatic five-set match to win the United States Open for his first major championship, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

The big-serving, 6-foot-6 del Potro ended Federers remarkable string of five consecutive Open singles championships and, at 20 years old, signaled that he is ready to challenge Federer and Rafael Nadal, whom del Potro beat in the semifinal on Sunday to reach the final, as the games top player.

The match began as many others had for Federer at this years Open. Having lost only two sets against six opponents before facing del Potro, Federer had little trouble winning the first set, 6-3, and seemed to be on track to add to his record 15 career Grand Slam championships.

But late in the second set, del Potro won a challenge on a passing shot that was called out. This seemed to unnerve Federer — who has voiced his displeasure with the Hawk-Eye replay system — and it took him until the end of the third set before he regained his equilibrium.

By the fourth set, del Potro had established his rhythm and power, his serve reaching 138 miles an hour. In the crucial tie-breaker at the end of the fourth set, del Potro took a 3-0 lead, and then overpowered Federer to win the tie-breaker, 7-4.

Del Potro then jumped to a 3-0 lead in the fifth set, and, in a reversal of roles, it was the 20-year-old who had the champion Federer measured for victory. With a final shot by Federer that went long, the championship belonged to del Potro.

It has been a remarkable rise for del Potro, who went from No. 65 in July 2008 to No. 6 in the world today. Now, with a United States Open title, he said, I dont have words to explain.