Sport | Tennis
Del Potro battles through
To meet Davydenko in final at O2 today
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter, Gulf News
- Published: 10:17 November 29, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- Del Potro becomes the first Argentine to reach the final of the year-ending finale since David Nalbandian in 2005
London: Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro maintained an amazing run at the O2 Arena when he carved out a heart-stopping 6-7 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (3) win against debutant Robin Soderling to enter the final of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals late last night (Saturday).
Soderling, a last minute replacement for Andy Roddick following an injury to the American, did all he could but qualify past the sturdy Argentinean who won in more than two hours before a packed O2 Arena here on a Saturday night.
Should he have qualified, Soderling would have become the first Swede after Jonas Bjorkman to reach the semifinal (1997 in Hannover). The last Swede to reach the final was Stefan Edberg in 1990 when he lost to Andre Agassi in Frankfurt.
On the other hand, Del Potro becomes the first Argentine to reach the final of the year-ending finale since David Nalbandian won the title in 2005 after beating Roger Federer.
With both players not prepared to give anything away, it was Soderling holding the upperhand as he took the opening set tie-breaker 7-1. But del Potro, also known as the ‘Tower of Tandil’ battled through the second set winning it easily 6-3
The third and deciding set was the most exciting as the Swede broke in the sixth game for a 4-2 lead, but the Argentinean broke back immediately for 3-4 to level scores at 4-4. In the tie-breaker, the Argentinean used his experience to push to an early 5-0 lead, that indeed proved handy as del Potro won the set and match 7-6 (3).
He will now face Russian Nikolay Davydenko in today’s final, that has a starting time of 2.30 pm (6.30 pm UAE).
Earlier, the Bryan twins from the US stayed on course to being crowned the world champions when they secured a close 6-4, 6-4 win against Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles. Should the Americans win tonight they will be crowned world champions besides receiving the year-ending trophy.
Results:
- Singles: Nikolay Davydenko bt Roger Federer 6-2, 4-6, 7-5; Juan Martin del Potro bt Robin Soderling 6-7 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (3).
- Doubles: Max Mirnyi/Andy Ram bt Frantisek Cermak/Michal Mertinak 6-4, 7-6 (4); Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan bt Mahesh Bhupathi/Max Mirnyi 6-4, 6-4.
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