Juan Martin Del Potro beats Michael Llodra in the first round – Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2012
World number nine, Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, bounced back after losing the second set to overpower his inferior-ranked opponent, Michael Llodra, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 in the first round at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome,
Italy on Tuesday.
Del Potro and Llodra started the match in a steady manner, as they won their serve in the first 10 games of the opening set to level the score at 5-5. The Argentinean made the much needed breakthrough in the 11th game
and consolidated on it to triumph 7-5.
Seeded 10th in the draw, Del Potro smashed one ace and 82 percent of the first serves, claiming 20 of the 31 points on them. He lost only one point on the second deliveries, pocketing six of the seven. The Argentinean
put away the only break threat he faced and utilised one of the three opportunities he received in the opener.
Llodra hit a blow to his opponent in the fourth game of the second set and held his following serve to attain a 4-1 lead. The Frenchman maintained his advantage throughout, sealing it 6-3.
The left-hander pounded two aces and committed one double fault in the second set. The 6ft 3in tall kept his first serve percentage at 67, converting 14 of the 20 of them into points. The Frenchman capitalised on one of the four
break points he received and did not provide any to Llodra.
After the score getting tied at one set apiece, it was obvious that the player who will handle pressure in a better way than the other will claim victory. Del Potro struck in the fourth game and consolidated on it to move ahead
4-1. Llodra played brilliantly to break back in the ninth game to come on equal terms but lost his serve again in the 10th to go down 4-6.
Del Porto neither hit any ace nor any double fault but his first serve percentage was incomparable, as he kept it at 93 and won 19 of the 25 points on them in the decider. The 6ft 6in tall failed to save the only break threat he
came across but compensated that by availing two of the four of his own chances.
It took Del Potro two hours and 16 minutes to score victory over his French opponent.
The Argentinean is slated to take on Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny in the second round.
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