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[darwin dali]

Congrats Roger! Great game from both, but alas one had to win and it was the greatest tennis player in history who took the cup.
15 career grand slams and counting. He surpassed Pete Sampras who was on hand for this final and for some words with McEnroe, Borg and Laver afterwards.

[McLaren Fan]

I'm relieved more than anything else that Federer won today, to be honest. The Federer who we all know and love didn't really show up, in part because Roddick tried desperately hard and executed an extremely good game plan, but also down to a touch of arrogance on Federer's part. Simply put, Federer did not really look geed up at all. It seems Federer felt he just had to turn up this afternoon, and was completely caught off guard by how well Roddick played. Couple that with the pretty epic fifth set, I was not as happy as I expected I would be when Federer eventually broke the record and I really do feel bad for Roddick. The difference, in the end, was that Federer played the majority of the big points better, saving the few sparks of genius he showed today for them. I guess that's one of the things about great champions, especially Federer. When he was basically flatlining, he still had the confidence to go for a few risky shots. On the positive side for Federer, he still managed to win by playing relatively poorly and his fitness held up over the distance (though there was a period when he looked completely finished, before seeming to get a second wind).

[darwin dali]

I'm relieved more than anything else that Federer won today, to be honest. The Federer who we all know and love didn't really show up, in part because Roddick tried desperately hard and executed an extremely good game plan, but also down to a touch of arrogance on Federer's part. Simply put, Federer did not really look geed up at all. It seems Federer felt he just had to turn up this afternoon, and was completely caught off guard by how well Roddick played. Couple that with the pretty epic fifth set, I was not as happy as I expected I would be when Federer eventually broke the record and I really do feel bad for Roddick. The difference, in the end, was that Federer played the majority of the big points better, saving the few sparks of genius he showed today for them. I guess that's one of the things about great champions, especially Federer. When he was basically flatlining, he still had the confidence to go for a few risky shots. On the positive side for Federer, he still managed to win by playing relatively poorly and his fitness held up over the distance (though there was a period when he looked completely finished, before seeming to get a second wind).

I don't agree with your assessment that RF was arrogant - he knew what he was getting into having seen an improved AR play very well throughout the tournament. He said after the match that he never got around 'reading' AR's serve, which was unusual. Add to AR's great game the pressure RF was under with all the expectations for history to be rewritten and it becomes understandable that he was struggling to put this one away. He served over 50 aces, had a high 1st serve percentage, more winners than AR - how can you say he played relatively poorly? Granted, it wasn't his best day, but it was mostly due to AR not allowing him to play his best game - nevertheless, it was a very solid performance.

[EwanM]

Both Federer and Roddick were amazing today. Even if it wasn't the Roger of old, it was still a very gutsy performance. To be honest, I mean yes he broke his record but was there any need to have the number 15 tracksuit all ready and that? I agree with Mclaren Fan, many just figured he'd win anyways - maybe even himself?

I feel terribly sorry for Roddick. However if he can carry on this form he'll be a force that is for sure for a while.

This is a golden era seeing such a great champion like Federer. Saviour this.

I wonder how long he has left at the top? At least 2 or 3 years surely?

[McLaren Fan]

... I mean yes he broke his record but was there any need to have the number 15 tracksuit all ready and that? I agree with Mclaren Fan, many just figured he'd win anyways - maybe even himself?

I wouldn't read too much into that; you see similar things all the time in sport. The tracksuit was passed to Federer on court after the match, and I suspect Nike would have insisted he wore it. Nike sacked Sampras once for refusing to wear an item of clothing they made for him (though they rehired him six weeks later ).

[EwanM]

... I mean yes he broke his record but was there any need to have the number 15 tracksuit all ready and that? I agree with Mclaren Fan, many just figured he'd win anyways - maybe even himself?

I wouldn't read too much into that; you see similar things all the time in sport. The tracksuit was passed to Federer on court after the match, and I suspect Nike would have insisted he wore it. Nike sacked Sampras once for refusing to wear an item of clothing they made for him (though they rehired him six weeks later ).

Yeah well I mean it was not Roger's fault, but I mean they could have waited until after the dust had settled. Damn corporations! You see that all the time to in F1...

Anyways not to take anything away from Federer's achievement.

[EwanM]

Does nobody want to have a guess on how long Federer can remain at the top?
Will Nadal be able to stay injury free for long enough to spark more of a challenge?
Will Roddick be a force in say the US?

[darwin dali]

Does nobody want to have a guess on how long Federer can remain at the top?
Will Nadal be able to stay injury free for long enough to spark more of a challenge?
Will Roddick be a force in say the US?

Yeah, I hazard one ( )
5 more years, 10 more grand slams.

[EwanM]

Does nobody want to have a guess on how long Federer can remain at the top?
Will Nadal be able to stay injury free for long enough to spark more of a challenge?
Will Roddick be a force in say the US?

Yeah, I hazard one ( )
5 more years, 10 more grand slams.

Hahaha! Yeah I realised I typed that so altered it...

[McLaren Fan]

I don't agree with your assessment that RF was arrogant - he knew what he was getting into having seen an improved AR play very well throughout the tournament. He said after the match that he never got around 'reading' AR's serve, which was unusual. Add to AR's great game the pressure RF was under with all the expectations for history to be rewritten and it becomes understandable that he was struggling to put this one away. He served over 50 aces, had a high 1st serve percentage, more winners than AR - how can you say he played relatively poorly? Granted, it wasn't his best day, but it was mostly due to AR not allowing him to play his best game - nevertheless, it was a very solid performance.

Federer had virtually no game plan and was surprised at Roddick's game. In a way, it's understandable (though not correct), as Roddick had only beaten him twice in twenty matches (and those matches counted for nothing, so Federer uses them as practice sessions if he bothers to play them). When Federer's plan A wasn't working, he did very little to change things up; there was no plan B. Instead, he elected to tough it out and play some very passive tennis. I'm surprised Federer said he couldn't really read Roddick's serve, as he usually reads it like a book, and Roddick was going down the T about 75% of the time. Rather than change his standing position to give Roddick something to think about and make it easier to return some balls properly, Federer stood in pretty much the same place. Also, for whatever reason, it seemed Federer had little control of the ball, especially when facing the royal box, as his returns were either going out or not deep enough.

Anyway, Federer did enough to win, and showed that despite playing nothing like his best and normal game, he can beat people like Roddick when they are playing out of their skin. That's one of things which make him the greatest tennis player ever.

[EwanM]

So Roger is dethroned by the young Argentine.

Del Potro dethrones Federer in US

By Piers Newbery

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro ended Roger Federer's five-year unbeaten reign at the US Open in five dramatic sets to win his first Grand Slam title.

The 20-year-old sixth seed twice fought back from a set down to win 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.

Del Potro is the first man other than Rafael Nadal to beat Federer in the final of a Grand Slam tournament.

Swiss star Federer, 28, had been going for a record-equalling sixth consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

American Bill Tilden achieved the feat in 1925.

But Federer found Del Potro, in a Grand Slam final for the first time, in determined mood as he became the second Argentine to win the US title after Guillermo Vilas, who was in the Arthur Ashes Stadium to witness his compatriot's victory.

"I had two dreams this week," said Del Potro. "One was to win the US Open and the other one is to be like Roger.

"One is done, but I need to improve a lot to be like you," he said, looking at the five-time champion.

"You fought until the final point. You are a great champion. I'm very happy to be here with this crown, with these people, on this court. This will be in my mind forever."

After a final that lasted four hours and six minutes, Federer said: "I would like to congratulate Juan Martin on an unbelievable tournament. I had a great one but he was the best.

"I would have never believed I could win five in a row here. It has been an amazing run for me."

He added: "I was two points from the match today. That's the way it goes sometimes. But I've had an unbelievable run this year. Being in all major finals and winning two of those.

"Sure, I would have loved to win those two as well. But the year has been amazing already. Got married and had kids, don't know how much more I want."

Federer went into the match on a 40-match unbeaten run in New York, his last defeat coming against another Argentine, David Nalbandian, in the fourth round in 2003.

He also held a 6-0 career record against Del Potro and was playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final, targeting a 16th major win.

However, Del Potro has rocketed up the rankings over the last year and pushed Federer desperately close over five sets in the French Open semi-finals in June.

His 6-2 6-2 6-2 demolition of Nadal in the semi-finals also left no-one in any doubt that he posed a real threat to Federer.

The question was whether he could handle the weight of expectation in a final that Federer has dominated since 2004.

The signs were not good early on as Federer converted his fifth break point of a lengthy second game with a beautiful forehand pass and went on to serve out the set.

Del Potro then double-faulted twice in succession at the start of the second set to hand over another break, and the 23,000 spectators groaned as one as it appeared the younger man was crumbling under the pressure.

It was not until the fourth game of the second set that Del Potro finally made some impression, but Federer saved three break points and looked poised for a two-set lead when serving at 5-4.

The match turned at 30-30 when Del Potro hit a magnificent forehand down the line that was called 'out' but overturned by Hawkeye.

A furious Federer protested to the umpire but there was to be no overruling the computer, and Del Potro then cracked another forehand winner to break back.

From 3-3 in the tie-break, Federer mishit a forehand return before Del Potro came up with two blistering winners and converted his third set point with another.

The sixth seed was now hitting the ball as he had done in his semi-final against Nadal, the power and depth constantly troubling Federer, but after breaking in game seven he allowed his opponent to level at 4-4 by dropping his own serve.

Federer served his way out of trouble in game nine, despite an angry exchange with the umpire over how long Del Potro was taking to challenge with Hawkeye.

Del Potro then appeared to hand the match to Federer in game 10, serving two double-faults in a row to give the world number one a two-sets-to-one lead.

Del Potro's fitness and ability to last five sets at the highest level had remained about the only question mark hanging over his game going into the final, and he was about to dismiss it for good.

Staring down the barrel at 15-40 early in the fourth set, he found two huge forehand winners to save, then broke to love for a 3-2 lead, only to see Federer level at 4-4 with some brave attacking play.

Federer was just two points away from the title in game 10 before Del Potro came storming back to earn break points in game 11.

But a pulsating encounter would require another tie-break.

There was more bad feeling over the use of Hawkeye but it was two missed forehands from Federer that allowed Del Potro to take the match into a fifth set.

It was the first time since Andre Agassi beat Todd Martin 10 years ago that the US Open final had gone to a decider, and the experience and fitness of Federer suggested he would start favourite.

However, the Swiss paid the price for playing to Del Potro's fearsome forehand too often, the Argentine breaking for 2-0 with yet another huge winner.

Federer had one chance in the next game to get back on serve but put a backhand long, and from then on Del Potro played nervelessly.

He reached two championship points on the Federer serve in game eight, converting the second when Federer hit a backhand long.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1 ... 253976.stm

Published: 2009/09/15 01:24:18 GMT

© BBC MMIX

[McLaren]

I stayed up and watched this last night ,was a cracking game.I wanted Del Potro to win after Federer swore and had his don't you know who I am rant at the umpire.
Game itself was a great advert for the game how it swung one way then the other.

[EwanM]

I stayed up and watched this last night ,was a cracking game.I wanted Del Potro to win after Federer swore and had his don't you know who I am rant at the umpire.
Game itself was a great advert for the game how it swung one way then the other.

It was also great that Del Potro was able to silence the doubters who said he may not have had the fitness to last 5 sets.

[Gilles 27]

Awesome! I've been waiting for Del Potro to win a major for a little while. Whoot! Serena Williams is a knob.

[Amanda]

I stayed up and watched it too and, although I like Del Potro, I always support Federer so I was quite upset by last nights result He's still the greatest player ever though