US Open 2016 - Juan Martin del Potro: I will never forget this, it is bigger than any match

Del Potro, 27, had missed nine successive slams due to a string of wrist surgeries before returning to Wimbledon, where he ousted Wawrinka in the second round and went on to claim silver at the Rio Olympics.

However, the Swiss proved to have too much for the Argentine at Flushing Meadows, winning 7-6 4-6 6-3 6-2.

As del Potro went out for the last game, the fans that had remained as the clock moved past 1:00am serenaded him and the big Argentine wiped away tears as "Ole, ole, ole, ole, Delpo, Delpo," rained down from the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands.

"Something difficult to describe with words," del Potro, who is ranked 142 and given a wild card into the event, told reporters about the salute.

"I can lose the match, but I will never forget this. It's bigger than a win in any match."