Juan Martin Del Potro outshines Leonardo Mayer in round three – US Open 2012
In an all-Argentinean clash, seventh seed Juan Martin Del Potro tumbled his compatriot, Leonardo Mayer, in straight sets at the Flushing Meadows 2012 on Sunday. He notched up a 6-3, 7-5, 7-6(9) victory against the world number 63 to power into the pre-quarters
at this major hard court event held in Corona Park, New York City.
The Argentinean top ranked star, Del Potro unveiled his true form, fending off late resilience to triumph over his fellow citizen. The players fought twice each other at the Futures event seven years ago and after pocketing this battle, Del Potro maintained
his winning record. He needed three hours and 20 minutes to book a spot in the fourth round at this last of the four Grand Slam events.
The 2009 champion strongly entered the Grandstand stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. He drew the first blood in the third game and leaped to a 3-1 lead. Del Potro held his remaining serves with poise and broke Mayer’s serve again
to capture the opener with a 6-3 success.
Ranked eighth in the world, Del Potro carried his rhythm in the following set despite suffering the first blow in the ninth game and trailing at 4-5. He wiped out the last three games and carved out the victory with a 7-5 score line.
The 23-year-old maintained consistency in his game in the third set and smoothly plucked his entire serves. He failed to get the breakthrough but prevailed in it in the tie-breaker, ultimately clinching the set with a 7-6(9) score line.
Next in queue for the Argentine is the 20th seed, Andy Roddick.
Del Potro commented about his next match up against the former world number one:
"I know this is special, this day, for him, but I'm doing my job. I will try to be focused on my match and doing my things, my shots. The match is going to be very tough. But, anyway, if I play in high level, will be tough for both players. The crowd loves
Andy here and they have respect me, so it will be a fantastic show to the players and to the fans also."
Roddick, who is playing his last tournament, took down Italy’s Fabio Fognini in a four-set thriller to progress.
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