Del Potro welcomed home by 40,000 fans

US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro was welcomed home by around 40,000 people, a third of the population of his home town, a local official said.

Del Potro, who defeated world number one Roger Federer in five sets in the New York final on Monday to capture his first Grand Slam title, toured the streets of Tandil, which lies 350km to the south of Buenos Aires, on top of a fire engine.

"There were over 40,000 people (lining the route)," municipal councillor Oscar Maggiori told AFP.

Del Potro, dubbed the 'Tour of Tandil' here due to his imposing 1.98m height, was presented with the keys to the town by the local mayor.