Del Potro studies Federer to pass U.S. Open final exam

NEW YORK (Reuters) - When Juan Martin del Potro felt he was on the ropes, in danger of going down to defeat and embarrassing himself in his first grand slam final, he looked across the net and studied Roger Federer.

The young Argentine said he drew inspiration from his opponent, the all-time grand slam title holder, and the urgings of around 23,000 fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium, who demanded his best in Monday's U.S. Open championship match.

The 20-year-old Del Potro delivered, fighting back from a two-sets-to-one deficit for a 3-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 6-2 victory over the Swiss master, who leads the list with 15 major titles.

Sixth seed Del Potro's darkest moment came at the end of the third set, which he handed to the world number one by double-faulting on the last two points.

"At that moment I start to think (I'm in) the final, playing with Roger, the best player in history. I have nothing to lose," the 6ft-6in Argentine told reporters.

"Two sets to one down, I think, 'OK, you never lose until the last point, so keep fighting.' The crowd help me, and they saw my fight in every point."

The Argentine has made a fast climb up the rankings, being the youngest man in the year-end top 10 in 2008, and his immaturity almost showed at the crucial moment.

RESPECT EVERYONE

The soft-spoken man with the scruffy beard and booming forehand nearly took his frustrations out on his racket after that third-set debacle but checked himself before smashing it.

"For respect to me and respect to everyone, I don't do that," he said. "Maybe when I felt nervous I saw Roger and he's a gentleman player, you know. We have to learn many things from him. Many times I do that today."

Del Potro had to deal with the jitters at the start of the match and struggled to keep up with the elegant Swiss player, who was seeking to win the U.S. Open for the sixth time in a row.

"The beginning of the match I was so nervous, I can't sleep last night. I don't take a breakfast today," he said. "That's part of the final, you know."

He waited until the 10th game of the second set to register his first service break and that started to build his confidence, but losing that painful third set put Del Potro's back against the wall.

"If I lose the fourth-set tiebreak I lose the match. I did unbelievable points," he said about winning the decider 7-4 to force a fifth set.

"Maybe Roger feels the nerves, because (going for) his sixth straight tournament, it's difficult."

Del Potro knows it can be hard to live up to expectations. Last summer he won four events in a row before the Open, only to lose in the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.

Working on his fitness and improving his serve, he rebounded this year to reach the French Open semi-finals, where he took two of the first three sets against Federer before the Swiss prevailed on his way to the title.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Monday, Del Potro was able to turn the tables on the world number one, bolstered by 37 winners from his flat, bullet-like forehand.

The Del Potro progression also carried him past six-times major winner Rafael Nadal in Sunday's semi-final, but the Argentine refused to be get carried away by thoughts of starting a collection of grand slam hardware.

"I don't know, I just want to live this moment," he said.

"Of course I will be in the history of this tournament. That's amazing for me. I have new opportunities in the other grand slams to win, because if I beat Nadal, Federer and many good players, maybe I can do one more time."

Del Potro is more comfortable expressing modest expectations even after pocketing $1.85 million in prize money.

Turning 21 later this month, a member of the media asked if Del Potro would splurge on something special for the big day.

"Maybe cheesecake for my birthday," he said.

(Editing by John O'Brien)