US OPEN: Del Potro is the US Open Champion, Photo Montage of Classic Final
The battle was one of the best US Open finals in history. Juan Martin Del Potro triumphed over world #1 and arguably the best player ever Roger Federer in 5 tough sets 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 in 4 hours 6 minutes. Del Potro needs to be commended for displaying tremendous heart and fight. After being a set and a break down in the second set (Federer served for the second set) Del Potro found a way to will himself back into the match. Almost by force, the 20 year old Argentine swayed the momentum into his favor as the match wore on. Throughout the tournament, the 5 time defending champion Federer had been serving his way out of trouble, but Federer couldn’t find his range on his serve and often was over hitting first and second serves. Del Potro’s approach to the match was the correct one. Tactically, Del Potro wanted to keep as many balls in play unless he had an opportunity to hit his big forehand, he wanted to serve big, and most importantly the key to the match was putting as many returns off of the Federer serve into play. This single tactic forced the great Federer to come up with the goods off of rallies time and time again. Mentally, the approach from the Argentine was to continue to fight each and every point until the match was over. Overall, the approach from Del Potro was eerily similar to Rafael Nadal in a way that the goal was to keep Federer on the court as long as possible and to fight to keep the momentum on his side. Nadal uses his cross-court lefty spin forehand relentlessly to the Federer backhand, but the Argentine used hit big booming forehand as well as his wingspan to play as many balls into the court as possible. Obviously, Del Potro was also relentless and he continued the charge all the way until the end. Congratulations on a well played match Juan Martin and welcome to stardom!
Enjoy the following photo montage!
Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning the second game of the first set against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the men's singles finals at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina reacts to his play during his game with Roger Federer of Switzerland in the men's singles finals match at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their men's singles finals match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Shaun Best
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina celebrates a point during the second set over Roger Federer of Switzerland in their men's singles finals match at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina sits in his chair after losing the third set to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the men's final at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/David Gray
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina celebrates winning a point against Roger Federer of Switzerland during the men's final at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/David Gray
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina hits a return to Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles finals match at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Fans of Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro react as they watch a screening of his men's singles final match at the U.S. Open tennis championship against Switzerland's Roger Federer at a club where del Potro used to play in his hometown of Tandil, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts to breaking serve over Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their men's singles final match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina reacts after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in their men's singles final match at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Shaun Best
Marcelo Gomez (C), who coached Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro since he was a child until 2007, is carried by friends as they celebrate Del Potro's victory against Switzerland's Roger Federer in the men's singles finals match at the U.S. Open tennis championship, in his hometown of Tandil, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina kisses the champions trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the men's final at the U.S. Open tennis championship in New York, September 14, 2009. REUTERS/David Gray
