rogerfederer.com - US Open 2009 - Webnews

US Open 2009 - Webnews

Federer stunned by del Potro in US Open final (Forbes)

Normally so cool, so consistent, so in control of his emotions and his matches, Roger Federer let the U.S. Open championship slip from his grasp.

Two points from victory against inexperienced, unheralded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, two points from a sixth consecutive title at Flushing Meadows and a record-extending 16th Grand Slam overall, Federer, quite simply, fell apart Monday.

He railed at the chair umpire. His legs grew weary. His double-faults mounted. He could not figure out a way to stop the 6-foot-6 del Potro from pounding forehand after forehand past him. In a result as surprising for who lost as how it happened, del Potro came back to win his first Grand Slam title by upsetting Federer 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Federer’s U.S. Open Streak Ends in Emotional Loss to Del Potro (Bloomberg.com)

Roger Federer was rolling toward his record-tying sixth consecutive U.S. Open championship when a line challenge got in the way.

“I got off to a pretty good start, and had things under control as well in the second set,” Federer said. “I think that one cost me the match eventually. But I had many chances before that to make the difference. So it was tough luck today, but I thought Juan Martin played great. I thought he hung in there and gave himself chances, and in the end was the better man.”

Del Potro beats Federer in US Open final (Belfast Telegraph)

Roger Federer's five-year reign as US Open champion has come to an end following a four-hour battle with Juan Martin del Potro last night.

The two men shared the first four sets, but the world number one began to flag in the decider.

Federer was typically gracious in defeat, saying he had a great tournament, but del Potro was the best competitor.

Del Potro leaves Federer in daze with US Open win (Washington Post)

Roger Federer sat in his sideline chair, listening to the music, gazing into the distance - the glassy-eyed look of a defeated man.

Shocked.

The owner of the most Grand Slam titles in history - maybe the best player of all time - finally lost at the U.S. Open, but not to Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick or even Andy Murray.

Juan Martin del Potro puts thrilling end to Roger Federer’s US Open reign (Times Online)

For Federer, it was a remarkable end to an incredible year that began with him unable to stem the tears at the Australian Open when he lost an epic five-set battle to Nadal. His first French Open triumph changed everything and, when he won Wimbledon, he broke the record of wins in grand-slam tournaments set by Pete Sampras. Win No 16 was agonisingly close but Del Potro snatched it away from him with a brilliant performance.