U.S. Open 2010: “Will Vengeance be Federer’s?”
Switzerland’s 28 year old Roger Federer is nothing short of legendary. Despite playing his first grand slam in the 90’s, the sportsman made his mark on the game in the year 2003.
The Wimbledon Men’s singles final of the year was the first ever grand slam Roger had won in his professional career. The phenomenal athlete went on to win 15 additional ATP Men’s singles grand slam titles only to form a male record. It comes as no surprise that the player has been ranked World no. 1 at different stages in his profession. Pete Sampras’ 286 week record as the World no. 1 was almost broken by Federer. Unfortunately though, the Swiss fell a week short. Apart from constantly achieving all sorts of Sports awards, the “Fed Express” is amidst the likes of Australia’s prestigious Rod Laver and America’s Andre Agassi.
Even though Roger Federer has quite clearly changed the game of tennis forever, the Swiss “Maestro” had to face defeat at the hands of a young Argentine by the name of Juan Martin Del Potro. The current no. 7 seed in the world outdid himself by conquering one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The 2009 U.S. Open Men’s singles final proved brilliant for the underdog. Del Potro, aged 21, played his first grand slam in the year 2005. Although, before his 2009 U.S. Open victory, the sportsman lacked the ability to make it past the quarterfinals in every grand slam he played.
The major tournament that annihilated the defending champion, Roger Federer , took off on the 1st of September 2009. Del Potro and Federer conveniently drifted through to the quarter finals of the 2009 U.S. Open Men’s singles. The offensive baseliner and Argentinean was confronted by Croatia’s Marin Cilic. Cilic was defeated 6-3, 6-2 and 6-1 in the last three sets even though he won the first set with a two game margin.
In the mean time, Federer was up against Sweden’s Robin Soderling. The Swiss came out victorious with a three set to one lead. Upon proceeding to the semi-finals, Federer was made to face Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. Even though Nole tried his level best to keep up with the Swiss terror, he failed miserably as he lost 7-6, 7-5 and 7-5 in three straight sets. Alongside, Del Potro was taken on by the Spaniard, Rafael Nadal. Rafa ended up disappointing his fans as he was defeated 6-2, 6-2 and ultimately 6-2, three sets in a row by the Argentine.
Subsequently, Roger and Del Potro came up against each other in the 2009 U.S. Open Men’s singles final. Surrounded by their fans, the sportsmen started the match off. Federer exercised his authority on Del Potro by thrashing him with a comfortable three game margin. The Argentine somehow managed to keep himself under control. As a result, Del Potro rose in the second set to win the tie breaker.
With a set in hand each, the players proceeded with the game. The “Fed Express” made a beautiful come back by bagging the third set six games to four. However, Argentina’s young stallion outdid himself by reciprocating with a 7-6 win, once again, after winning a tie break. A little less than four hours into the game, as the two struggled to win the deciding set with their eye on the prize, Del Potro turned the game around. The dark horse crushed the Swiss Maestro mentally, physically and emotionally by taking the final set six games to two.
The match that lasted over four hours finally came to a close with Del Potro’s final set win. The improbable champion made history by decimating the ‘King’ of tennis, Roger Federer.
Conclusively, as far as the 2009 U.S. Open goes, the somewhat emotional athlete, Roger Federer’s ego along with his career had been threatened by a 21 year old novice. Which gives rise to the question of, whether one of the most epic players of all time will be able to take his revenge? We cannot be sure of whether the 2010 U.S. Open final will be another Federer-Del Potro.
Nevertheless, one can hope that Federer will come back bigger and better this year. After ruining Federer’s 5 year U.S. Open winning streak, Del Potro best watch his back because Federer is probably out to get him.
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