It was not expected to happen but Juan Martin del Potro did not care. The Argentine left Roger Federer, and the rest of the tennis world, stunned as he subdued the five-times champion in a pulsating five-set final to claim the US Open crown on Monday.

Standing tall at 1.98 metres (6-foot-6), the Argentine skyscraper left Federer trailing in his shadow as he won an action-packed 3-6 7-6 4-6 7-6 6-2 battle to capture his first grand slam crown at a floodlit Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In a four-hour tussle that featured countless Federer miss-hits, Hawk-Eye disputes, clashes with the umpire and high-fives with the fans, it was Del Potro's show-stopping forehands that ultimately shone through and denied the Swiss a modern-era record sixth successive title in New York.

After being gifted his third match point with a double fault, an incredulous Del Potro kept his eye on the ball as he watched a Federer backhand float long to seal victory.

He dropped his racket and collapsed on to his back, with legs splayed and his hands covering his face, an X-shaped emblem of triumph. With his body still shaking with emotion, Del Potro got back on to his feet as the tears started to flow freely.

I had two dreams this week. One was to win the US Open and the other one is to be like Roger, the 20-year-old Del Potro told the cheering crowd as he picked up a cool $1.85 million for his run in New York.

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