WATCH | Roger Federer stunned by del Potro’s vicious forehand
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The fans had high hopes ahead of the rematch of the 2009 US Open final between Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro, and fair to say, the duo didn't disappoint them at all. During the match, both the players delivered their best but del Potro’s forehand shot was the highlight of the encounter.
Ahead of the much-awaited US Open quarter-final between the duo, Federer praised his opponent del Potro, calling his forehand second only to his arch nemesis, Rafael Nadal. Federer had also advised the youngsters to look at del Potro's "great" forehand as a reference. In the match, Federer's nightmare came true as the Argentine brought his impeccable trait to the fore that almost took the Swiss out.
In the fourth set, Federer was serving to stay in the match, while being 3-5 down. del Potro was looking to close out the match by breaking Federer’s serve and won the first point of the game with a forehand winner. Federer came up with a big first serve to the backhand of del Potro and then approached the net towards the Argentine's forehand. What followed next, took both Federer and the whole Arthur Ashe arena by surprise. The 2009 US Open Champion ripped a monstrous cross court forehand that almost took Federer out in the process.
del Potro capitalized on Federer's inability to close out the third set after having multiple set points and broke Federer early in the fourth set to take full control in the match.
Even though Federer enjoyed a 16-5 head-to-head advantage against the Argentine, the latter's greatest career moment came against the same player, on the same court, in 2009, when he beat the Swiss to secure his first, and only, Grand Slam. Federer failed to change the result of the quarterfinal match as the world number 28 won the grueling game 7-5 3-6 7-6 6-4 that lasted for three hours.
