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The controversial US Open change that cruelled Del Potro in final

Juan Martin del Potro was partly undone in the US Open final by a controversial move from officials.

A clinical Novak Djokovic defeated del Potro to collect his second grand slam title in succession and 14th of his career.

The Serb outlasted the Argentine 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in three hours and 15 minutes to join his “idol” Pete Sampras in third on the all-time list of major winners – behind only Roger Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (17).

Del Potro broke down in tears after another near-miss, and fans weren’t particularly impressed by a controversial change to the US Open courts that cruelled his chances.

Juan Martin del Potro reacts to a point while playing Novak Djokovic. (Photo by Eduardo MUNOZ ALVAREZ / AFP)
Juan Martin del Potro reacts to a point while playing Novak Djokovic. (Photo by Eduardo MUNOZ ALVAREZ / AFP)

Last week US Open tournament director David Brewer admitted the courts at Flushing Meadows were purposely slowed down “a touch” this year.

“In the general feedback we’ve gotten from players the last couple of years, a range of players, both male and female, the commonality we seemed to have been getting was: The courts were sort of gradually creeping up in speed,” Brewer said.

“We just felt we needed to address that a little bit this year.

“At the same time, we wanted to ensure we had really good consistency across all courts.”

However the lower court speed this year has generally been frowned upon by players and commentators.

Roger Federer said it felt like the courts were slower than they’d ever been, while ESPN courtside commentator Darren Cahill said Monday morning’s final was played in “the slowest conditions I’ve seen for the entire two weeks”.

The slow court at Arthur Ashe Stadium meant del Potro didn’t get any value for his massive groundstroke game, with Djokovic (renown for his defensive game) able to get more balls back.

Del Potro wasn’t able to blast the ball through the court like he normally would, and many weren’t impressed.

Del Potro, who was back in a grand slam final for the first time since his one and only title in New York in 2009, couldn’t hold back his tears after the match.

“I’m so happy to be playing the final against this magnificent idol. Of course I’m sad because I lose but I’m happy for Novak, you deserved to win,” del Potro said.

“I got it after nine years, which is amazing to me because the US Open is my favourite tournament and I’m proud of that.”

Djokovic was far superior to del Potro in the opening set but he dropped three consecutive games in the second to trail 4-3.

The sixth seed survived three break points in the following game, an epic that lasted more than 20 minutes, in a pivotal moment.

A series of missed forehands by del Potro in the tiebreaker put Djokovic back on course and he finished with a flourish, taking the last three games – sealing the title on his first match point.

with AAP