Del Potro sets up final with Nadal
Source: Agencies |
March 18, 2013, Monday
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JUAN Martin del Potro stunned Novak Djokovic on Saturday to end the world No. 1's 22-match winning streak and book a BNP Paribas Open final against Rafael Nadal in Indian Wells, California.
Argentina's Del Potro defeated Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, ending the Serbian's winning streak that had stretched back to October 31.
Nadal, an 11-time grand slam champion seeded fifth in his fourth tournament back from a seven-month injury absence, beat sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5.
"He's a big challenge for me also," del Potro said of Nadal. "He will want to win this tournament, for sure, and it's going to be a very interesting match."
Djokovic's 17-match wins this year had included a run to a fourth Australian Open title and the ATP title at Dubai.
He looked and sounded weary as he philosophically offered his congratulations to del Potro.
"It happens," Djokovic said. "All the credit to my opponent today. He deserved to win because he was more composed in the important moments and he played the right shots."
Del Potro had beaten Djokovic just twice in 10 prior meetings, although one of those victories was a sweet one for the bronze medal at the London Olympics last year.
Djokovic had since re-established his authority with wins over del Potro at the Cincinnati Masters, US Open and ATP Finals last year, and at Dubai in February.
Del Potro's reward will be a title showdown with former world No. 1 Nadal, who has already exceeded his own expectations with a runner-up finish and two titles in his first three comeback tournaments.
"I don't have nothing to lose after seven months," Nadal said. "I did much more than what I dreamed."
It was the Spaniard's 12th straight win over Czech Berdych, including seven consecutive on hard courts.
"He looks strong again," Berdych said of Nadal, whose leg is taped just below his left knee. "He still plays very aggressive, and what he was missing in his first matches when he came back after the injury was maybe a bit of confidence in his game, but definitely not today and not anymore."
No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova of Russia and Denmark's No. 8 Caroline Wozniacki will play in the women's final.
Argentina's Del Potro defeated Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, ending the Serbian's winning streak that had stretched back to October 31.
Nadal, an 11-time grand slam champion seeded fifth in his fourth tournament back from a seven-month injury absence, beat sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-5.
"He's a big challenge for me also," del Potro said of Nadal. "He will want to win this tournament, for sure, and it's going to be a very interesting match."
Djokovic's 17-match wins this year had included a run to a fourth Australian Open title and the ATP title at Dubai.
He looked and sounded weary as he philosophically offered his congratulations to del Potro.
"It happens," Djokovic said. "All the credit to my opponent today. He deserved to win because he was more composed in the important moments and he played the right shots."
Del Potro had beaten Djokovic just twice in 10 prior meetings, although one of those victories was a sweet one for the bronze medal at the London Olympics last year.
Djokovic had since re-established his authority with wins over del Potro at the Cincinnati Masters, US Open and ATP Finals last year, and at Dubai in February.
Del Potro's reward will be a title showdown with former world No. 1 Nadal, who has already exceeded his own expectations with a runner-up finish and two titles in his first three comeback tournaments.
"I don't have nothing to lose after seven months," Nadal said. "I did much more than what I dreamed."
It was the Spaniard's 12th straight win over Czech Berdych, including seven consecutive on hard courts.
"He looks strong again," Berdych said of Nadal, whose leg is taped just below his left knee. "He still plays very aggressive, and what he was missing in his first matches when he came back after the injury was maybe a bit of confidence in his game, but definitely not today and not anymore."
No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova of Russia and Denmark's No. 8 Caroline Wozniacki will play in the women's final.
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