Juan Martin Del Potro blasts past Tomas Berdych in the semis – World Tennis Tournament 2012
Argentinean number one, Juan Martin Del Potro, stunned the second seeded Tomas Berdych with a breadstick at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament 2012 on Saturday. He formulated a 6-3, 6-1 victory against the top-tenner to secure a place in the title-round
at this ATP World Tour 500 series event taking place in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Third seeded Del Potro displayed flawless performance to upset the world number seven in their fourth meeting. He not only extended lead in the head-to-head series by 3-1 against the Czech but also advanced into the final round at the Ahoy Rotterdam.
"I'm very happy as it's my first victory against a Top 10 player this year. It means a lot for my confidence," the highly enthusiastic Argentinean said after the match. "I played a really good match today. And now I'm one step from winning the tournament,
so I'm working for that goal."
The 23-year-old stormed into the indoor hard courts and drew the first blood in the opening game. He maintained his intensity after this and kept entire serves without facing any barrier. Del Potro then cashed in another break chance in the last game and
sealed the opener by winning six games to three.
The World number 10 flashed into the following set and reeled off the opening five games consecutively before Berdych could hold on. Del Potro then kept his serve once more and clinched the set with a tremendous 6-1 score line.
Overall, the former US champion manipulated a better first serve share of 59 percent as compared to the Czech’s 49 percent and impressively marked 23 out of 26 points on it. He also fired nine aces and cashed half of the eight break opportunities to edge
over Berdych.
"I served well and I was really confident with my forehand and backhand," Del Potro was further quoted. "I took all the chances Tomas gave to me. I broke his serve many times which helped me play more relaxed."
Next in line for Del Potro is the top seeded Roger Federer who leads 8-2 in the head-to-head series against the Argentinean. The world number three hit back at the Russian competitor, Nikolay Davydenko, in three sets to occupy this final spot.
The 2005 titlist was trailing 4-6, 1-3 when he re-focused and bounced back. He wiped out the last five games successively to pull out the equaliser and then clinched the decider with a single break of serve.
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