Day 15 of the U.S. Open

In an amazing upset Juan Martin Del Potro is the 2009 men's U.S. Open champion defeating Roger Federer in 5 amazing sets.

In the pre-match interview Del Potro admitted to being nervous, and by the way he started out his play showed it. Del Po came out of the gate hesitant and making a lot of errors. These errors led to his serve being broken early in the first set. At the same time Roger Federer wasn't playing his "A" game either, but he really didn't need to. He did just enough to take control of the first set and win it fairly easily 6-3.

Roger's serve wasn't on at all. He had 6 double faults by the middle of the second set, but Del Po wasn't taking advantage of Fed's struggles. He was having bigger struggles of his own, and his out-of-sort play continued and Federer had an early break in the 2nd set to take a 2-0 early lead and it looked like Roger was going to cruise over the young, nervous, Argentine. After falling to a 2-0 deficit early in the 2nd Del Po seemed to settle and calm down a bit. He began holding serve easily, and also give Federer a battle when he was serving. But Roger did just enough and Del Po made a few easy mental errors to help Federer hold serve. Late in the 2nd set Del Po, with the help of some blistering forehands finally broke Federer's serve for the first time. It looked like a brand new Del Po. The nerves were gone, and he was coming alive. He fist pumped his way to a 2nd set tiebreaker in which he won. 2nd set to Del Po 7-6.

The nerves were gone, and Del Po seemed to find his range with his forehand. His footwork was also noticeably better as well. The momentum was now in Del Po's favor. Both players although continued to hold their own serves, but now it is Federer who is looking a little worn, and hitting lazy forehands into the net. At 3-3 in the set Del Potro breaks Federer's serve to take a 4-3 lead, but like a gay cowboy Federer "broke back" to make it 4-4. Breaking back is what Roger needed. It changed the tide and Federer ended up taking the 3rd set 6-4 and having a 2 sets to 1 lead.

The 4th set was a back and forth battle. Both players not wanting to give an inch. Del Potro continued his great play with his lethal forehand leading the way. Roger had no answer for it. He tried to continue to hit to the backhand, but that wasn't working either. Del Potro was able to get out to a 4-2 lead and up a break, but in typical Roger Federer style he came back to even the match. It just seemed like no matter what Del Po did Roger somehow had an answer. No matter how great he played, Roger was going to just strike back and pull out the victory. Its the aura her gives off. Its like no matter how bad he is playing, or how good his opponent is playing he'll end up finding a way to win. The 4th set ended up going to a tiebreaker. Now this is the time where Del Po will just wither and the great Roger Federer will stake his claim to becoming the U.S. Open champion for the 6th straight year. Seemed like everyone in the crowd could feel it, but one person. That one person is a 6'6" Argentine who was showing courage and heart that most 20 year olds could ever imagine. Most guys, even with 20 times more experience would be shitting their pants at this point. Del Potro just continued to fight and pound ground strokes. Hitting his shots and somehow taking the tiebreaker and set 7-6.

Now you think, "This is when Federer will take over." And it would make total sense to think that. Del Potro's biggest flaw is his lack of fitness. He has been working on it, and has improved his stamina greatly, but it still comes up in matches where he just gasses out and cannot play at the top level he is accustomed to. Roger will probably just run him ragged, and wear him down and take it in the 5th set.... Well the opposite happened. It was Del Potro who would take control and just dominate the final set. Feeding off the crowd, who suddenly were cheering and chanting for Del Potro, and loving how the Argentine was staying in the fight, fist pumping, motioning to the crowd to get louder. It seemed to give him the extra energy he needed to just punish the great Roger Federer and win the final set 6-2 and win his first ever Grand Slam event.

When the final point fell out of bounds, the huge Argentine fell to his back and he layed there balling his eyes out. Here is a guy a little over a year ago was off the radar. He wasn't ranked high enough to be in the olympics, but now he is a the U.S. Open champion. And he earned it by beating the greatest player of all time and a 5 time defending champion. Making an almost impossible feat possible. Roger was pure class in defeat. Shaking hands with Del Potro and giving him a friendly hug. During the awards ceremony he was gracious and smiling, giving all credit to how well Del Po had played. But Roger also made sure to let everyone know how well he played as well. Oh Roger. Del Potro with tears in his eyes thanked the crowd, his family, his coach, and all the people who have supported him. It was great to see a young face in men's tennis making his way to the top. Now there is another guy to take notice of. No longer is it just Federer and Nadal. Andy Murray has made a charge, Novak Djokovic has won a major and can beat anyone on any givin day. Andy Roddick has improved his game and can contend, but now there is a young 20 year old named Juan Martin Del Potro who is still learning the game. Still improving his craft. To be this good, and still improving and growing into his body, its just plain scary. Roger and Rafa are looking over their shoulder at another contender for their top spot.

In a previous blog I have said that Juan Martin Del Potro would win a major championship more sooner than later, but I never imagined it would be this soon.

Thank you to Federer and Del Potro for putting on a tremendous drama filled match. And congratulations to Juan Martin Del Potro for winning his first career Grand Slam title.