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 night.

Standing 1.98 metres tall (6ft 6ins), the Argentine skyscraper left Federer 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.

"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 $1.85 million for his run in New York.

Then turning to his victim, the sixth seed added: "One is done but I need to improve a lot to be like you. You fought until the final point; you are a great champion."

The victory allowed Del Potro to become the first South American man to triumph in New York since compatriot Guillermo Vilas in 1977. But unlike on that day 32 years ago, Del Potro was not mobbed on court by dozens of fans wanting to get close to a champion.

Instead, Del Potro poured cold water all over his head to ensure he was not dreaming this moment.

The Argentine capped his incredible Flushing Meadows journey by becoming the first man to beat Rafael Nadal and Federer back-to-back in a grand slam arena.

For Federer, it was a case of so close, yet so far.

"I was two points from the match. That's the way it goes sometimes. But I've had an unbelievable run (this year). Being in all major finals and winning two of those... losing the other two in five sets.

"Sure, I would have loved to win those two as well. But the year has been amazing already. Got married and had kids, don't know how much more I want."

On court, though, Federer can be a very greedy man.

After romping through the opening set, Federer stood two points from taking a two-set lead at 5-4 but watched in horror as a Hawk-Eye overrule handed Del Potro break point.

Convinced the ball-tracking system had picked up the wrong mark, a clearly irritated Federer dropped his serve as the set swung Del Potro's way. He roared through the tiebreak 7-5.

That turned out to be the first of many Hawk-Eye decisions to irk the top seed.

In the fourth set, Del Potro was left gasping as Federer stood two points from victory.

An ace and a forehand thunderbolt got Del Potro out of trouble and he pumped the air in delight. Fifty six minutes later, the Argentine was lying flat on his back.

For Federer it ended an amazing reign in New York that had spanned 40 matches.

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