Sports Thread #2 For 9/14/09: 2009 US Open, Men's Final: Federer vs Del Potro

For the sixth consecutive year, Roger Federer is in the United States Open Final. And for the sixth consecutive year, he faces a different opponent.

Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray have all fallen at the mercy and hands of the meticulous masterclass that the Swiss Masters has bestowed to them on Arthur Ashe in his final five titles.

Will Juan Martin del Potro be next?

That question brings a definitive "Yes" from most, despite the 6'6 20 year old Argentine playing the best tennis of his young career, and being arguably the best player on the hard court in the summer. His record of being 0 for 6 in his matches against Federer don't facilitate his chances.

And if you saw that quarterfinals woodshed beating del Potro took at the hands of the world number one at the Australian Open in January, you would figure that this will be an easy 16th Grand Slam title for Federer.

But Juan Martin del Potro is arguably coming into this match with more confidence than any of those five previous opponents in year's past, and you can discount those past encounters with Federer.

Those past encounters include the last one, a French Open semifinals that the world number six should have won. It was a thrilling five set match where del Potro inexperience got the best of him, and Federer's destiny as well.

This will be Federer's toughest final at the US Open most definitely, and the Argentine has the offensive, and maybe more importantly, the defense at such a massive fame, to win this title.

But does he have the experience against the best and most relentless closer ever? I actually think so.

But I am a fool to go against the possible 16 time Grand Slam champion. And I probably may have egg on my face at this match's conclusion.

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