Swiss tennis juggernaut Roger Federer is one of those stalwarts of the sport that seems to exude an aura of complete mastery and invincibility in the game for their whole career. That is not true of course if the elimination of Federer from the quarterfinals of this year’s US Open were any indication. The interesting bit, however, is that his vanquisher, Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, was a repeat winner against him. Back in the US Open of 2009 the two men met on the hard surface of a court in New York City where Del Potro beat him for the first time.

It looks like a Federer-Rafael Nadal dream match will have to wait until some time.

Upset victory

The 2017 Us Open crowd was flabbergasted when favorite competitor Roger Federer was humbled in four sets of his quarterfinal match against Juan Martin Del Potro this Wednesday, September 6. The bout between the two men, actually a rematch, was over in four sets: 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(8), 6-4 for the Argentinian. Even worse for the Swiss champion, this was an even worse showing for him compared to their first encounter in 2009, where Federer at least fought five sets before capitulating.

Everything is looking up for Del Potro, who is the 24th seed at this US Open. With his victory over Federer, one of the great pillars of world tennis today, the Argentine contestant once again steps into the semi-finals of a Grand Slam competition.

His last advancement to this stage had been back in 2013, at Wimbledon. When his section of the cheering crowds erupted at the end of the match, Del Potro thanked them for supporting him in his struggle with the Swiss who has been ruling the US Open roost for over ten years now. “I think it’s my home court too,” the Argentine said in a statement.

“You make me feel happy every time when I play here and I love your support.”

It happens

For his part, Roger Federer was blunt in post-match interviews with his opinion that he saw his defeat coming at this point in the US Open, even saying that he felt ill at ease for this year’s Grand Slam. As for describing what ailed him during the match, he simply shrugged it off as something that happens and is hard to explain.

Federer's distraction was not lost on observers.

With Federer out, Juan Martin Del Potro has a shot at the finals of the 2017 US Open. But before that, he must get past Rafael Nadal in his semifinal match. The other side of the equation has Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, the 12th seed, going against South African Kevin Anderson, the 28th seed.
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