Federer stunned by del Potro

Juan Martin del Potro ends Roger Federer's run of dominance at the US Open in five sets to win his first Grand Slam.

Juan Martin del Potro (right) holds the champions trophy after his shock defeat of Roger Federer in the men's singles final.

NEW YORK // Juan Martin del Potro ended Roger Federer's run of dominance at the US Open last night, stunning the top-ranked Swiss great in five sets to win in his first Grand Slam final. The 20-year-old Argentine prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to snap Federer's streak of five straight US Open titles. The sixth-seeded del Potro had not beaten Federer in their six previous encounters. "Maybe I look back and have some regrets about it," said Federer, never before beaten by anyone other than Rafael Nadal in a major final. "But, you know, you can't have them all and can't always play your best."

Federer was seeking to become the first man since Bill Tilden in 1920-25 to win the American championship six straight times and the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win three straight majors in a season. Two points from victory against inexperienced, unheralded del Potro, two points from a record-extending 16th Grand Slam overall, Federer, quite simply, fell apart. He railed at the chair umpire. His legs grew weary. His double-faults mounted. He could not figure out a way to stop 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. He had won 40 consecutive matches at Flushing Meadows. He had won 33 of his previous 34 Grand Slam matches and he has made the final at 17 of the past 18 Grand Slam tournaments, 21 overall. After handing No. 3 Nadal the most lopsided loss of his Grand Slam career in the semifinals Sunday, del Potro came back the next day and rattled Federer.

"I would like to congratulate Juan Martin on an unbelievable tournament. I had a great one myself, too," Federer said, "but he was the best." Somehow, del Potro never seemed intimidated by the setting or the man many consider the greatest tennis player in history. Del Potro managed to have the time of his young life, high-fiving front-row fans after winning one point, and revelling in the football-style serenades of "Ole!" ringing through the stadium.

"When I would have a dream, it was to win the US Open, and the other one is to be like Roger. One is done," del Potro said during the on-court ceremony. Then, addressing Federer directly, del Potro added: "I need to improve a lot to be like you. I'd like to congratulate you for fighting 'til the last point." This US Open was Federer's first Grand Slam event since his daughters were born, and he spoke proudly of quickly learning to change nappies and getting used to sleeping less.

"Right now, I'm just tired," he said after his loss. "I want to get a rest." *AP