Juan Martin Del Potro Says It Will Be A Pleasure To Play The GOAT Roger Federer Wednesday

by Tom Gainey | September 5th, 2017, 3:08 pm
  • 6 Comments

Juan Martin del Potro is luck to still be in the US Open. Fighting a virus, the Argentine was out of strength early on in his encounter yesterday with Dominic Theim in the fourth round. But the crowd pulled him through, helped him save two match points and take a 5-set comeback win.

The fans were so loud even Roger Federer heard the noise from Ashe Stadium,

“We could even hear it on center court,” Federer said. “That’s the first time I experienced that. Clearly Grandstand wasn’t where it used to be. But, I mean, they had epic crowds.”


Both guys now meet in the quarterfinals Wednesday night in a rematch of their 2009 US Open final. Federer leads 16-5 and won their only meeting in the last four years in Miami, but del Potro is looking forward to the challenge.

“Everybody loves him,” del Potro said of the Swiss. “Is going to be interesting match for play. It will be after eight years again in the central court of this tournament. I know how to play if I want to win, but I will see how physically I feel after this battle.

“But always is a pleasure to play the greatest guy on the history.”

Added Federer on the 2009 match, “Probably feels like one of those matches I would like to play over again. Feel like I would probably win it somehow because I should have been up maybe two sets to love or should have been up two sets to one. I don’t remember if I was.”

But now, eight years later, it’s different.

“I think we’re different players today,” Federer said. “We both play different. Because of his surgery, I think his backhand has changed. He uses his slice much more. Just alone because of that, the game would be different. I’m playing more aggressive, as well, on the return. I play shorter points. I don’t use my slice as much, whereas he does now. It’s a bit of a change.”

Since he’s return to tennis full time last year, del Potro’s already posted wins over Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori. Will he also add Federer to the list?


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6 Comments for Juan Martin Del Potro Says It Will Be A Pleasure To Play The GOAT Roger Federer Wednesday

skeezer Says:

“Juan Martin Del Potro Says It Will Be A Pleasure To Play The GOAT Roger Federer Wednesday”
“..always is a pleasure to play the greatest guy on the history.”
The GOAT. Preach it Delpo!
—–
“Added Federer on the 2009 match, “Probably feels like one of those matches I would like to play over again. Feel like I would probably win it somehow because I should have been…”
Errr.. I get that you wish ya had a redo in that match but…..sorry champ, Delpo was Thor with a hammer that day with his FH’s, no way you were beating him that day in 09.

September 6th, 2017 at 12:26 am


Okiegal.... Says:

No ….he won’t add Fed to the list…..

September 6th, 2017 at 2:13 am


Willow Says:

History is unlikely to repeat itsself, i feel Fed is playing too well, and Delpo isnt the same player that won the USO in 2009, and lets be honest its unlike Federer to lose a match after being a break up like he was in that final ….

September 6th, 2017 at 9:46 am


Tony N Says:

Skeezer: “no way you were beating him that day in 09.”

Federer could and should have won that 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 2-6 match in three or four sets.

In the second set at 5-4 and 30-0, Federer was just two points away from a two sets to love lead.

In the fourth set, Federer won his serve easily to be within one game from victory at Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 5-4.
With del Potro serving, Federer was just two points from winning the match when Del Potro made two errors to slip to 15-30. However, Federer failed to return and it’s 30-30. Del Potro then thumped an ace. Delpo won the game with a forehand down the line to get it to 5-5. Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 5-5
With Federer serving, he saves two breakpoints to hold and again he’s one game away from winning the match. Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-5
With Del Potro serving, he holds to love to force a tiebreak. Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-6 Del Potro
In the tiebreak, Federer started off with an uncharacteristic double fault, was down 0-3 and eventually Delpo won the tie break 4-7. Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-7 (4-7) Del Potro

In the fifth set, Del Potro was overwhelming. Federer 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 2-6 Del Potro

What a change over the course of a season. In 2009 Australian Open, Federer thrashed Delpo 63 60 60

September 6th, 2017 at 10:53 am


skeezer Says:

Yeah you are right Tony, but the last set was the one I remember the most. Delpo was the dominator in that set. But Fed did have his chances early on.

September 6th, 2017 at 11:10 am


Vinod Says:

Wow Tony you remember more details about that match :)

September 6th, 2017 at 6:54 pm

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