Del Potro Defies Nickname; Wins US Open

Nice showing by Juan Martin del Potro tonight at the US Open, stunning Roger Federer and putting stupid jerks like me in my place.

See, I’m not a big tennis guy…and like most other dummies who think they know everything about sports, I didn’t give JM del P much of a chance to beat Federer.

In fact, I went ahead and gave the 20-year-old Argentine a nickname that I thought summed up his chances to win….. “Del Potro-Potty.”

Not my best effort, but it got a few chuckles around the office.

And then he went ahead and pulled off one of the greatest upsets in US Open history….effectively slamming the door to the “Del Potro-Potty” in my face.

So I take my hat off to del Potro, who’s quest for the title went through NOT JUST Federer (who had won 40 straight matches at Flushing Meadows), but Rafael Nadal, too.

The rain-jumbled schedule at the US Open during the past few days made me (and I’m sure a bunch of other people) miss/overlook del Potro’s semi-final win over Nadal, but I’m glad I got to see him in action tonight.

He was resilient and powerful and unflappable in the eyes of what appeared to be certain defeat.

Just two points away from dropping the second set (having already lost the first), del Potro rallied to force a second set tie break, winning that to even the match at a set a piece.

He rallied again to the win the fourth set, then dominated a frustrated Federer in the fifth.

All in all a great match, a great new champion, and a great introduction for know-it-all's like me who can only name a handful of men’s players on tour.

Fellas: meet Juan Martin del Potro

Matt Estreich for The Huddle