Del Potro defeats Federer in US Open men's final

Flushing Meadows (New York, US), Sep.15 (ANI): Argentine sixth seed Juan Martin del Potro upset five-time defending champion Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to win the 2009 US Open men's final on Monday night.

Del Potro is the first South American to win the US Open men's crown since countryman Guillermo Vilas did in 1977. In the process of his win, he denied Federer his 16th career Slam crown.

A tearful but happy Del Potro said "I don't have words to explain how I feel."

Del Potro, who turns 21 next week, snapped Federer's 41-match unbeaten streak on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts to win 1.85 million dollars.

"I would like to congratulate Juan Martin on an unbelievable tournament. I had a great one but he was the best," Federer said.

Firing consistent winners, Del Potro kept the pressure upon Federer whom he has never beaten in six prior attempts, and won after four hours and six minutes.

Del Potro led Federer by two sets in the French Open semi-finals before the Swiss rallied for a dramatic five-set victory.

But there was no such escape this time.

Federer was pushed into a fifth set for only the third time since the start of his championship run, the other times being against Andre Agassi in the 2004 quarter-finals and in last year's round of 16 against Igor Andreev.

Federer had 11 double faults in the match. (ANI)