Juan Martin Del Potro quest for the bronze medal – Tennis Special
Argentinean number one, Juan Martin Del Potro, displayed spectacular skills and ultimately captured bronze medal at the London Olympics 2012, a major sports event held after every four years.
The Argentinean star entered the London grass courts standing at number nine in the South African Airways ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Rankings. He breezed past his opponents and secured a semi-final berth at this event. Del Potro
was edged out by top seeded Roger Federer but outclass second seeded Novak Djokovic, subsequently grabbing bronze medal and making his nation proud.
Seeded eighth at this event, Del Potro stepped into the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in high spirits. He crushed the Croatian contender, Ivan Dodig, with a breadstick in his opening match.
Del Potro maintained consistency in his game in the proceeding round. He tumbled the Italian challenger, Andreas Seppi, in straight sets in 102 minutes. The Argentine superbly dusted away 10 out of 11 breakpoints he faced but capitalised on two out of five
break chances to formulate a 6-3, 7-6(2) success.
The in-form Argentine lost the second set in his match against 12th seeded Gilles Simon. However, he remained focused and carved out a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 score line.
In the final eight, Del Potro carried his rhythm and dominated against the Asian number one, Kei Nishikori. He warded off late resistance and eventually sealed the deal with a 6-4, 7-6(4) victory.
Del Potro maintained his intensity against top seeded Roger Federer in the final four. He made quick in-roads and consequently pulled out the opener with a 6-3 score line. The 17-time Grand Slam champion, Federer on the other side of net sought his rhythm
afterwards and ultimately manipulated a 3-6, 7-6(5), 19-17 victory against the Argentine. Del Potro was edged out in this 266-minute marathon but gained confidence boost.
In the match for bronze medal, Del Potro locked horns with the Serbian number one who was underplayed by the eventual champion, Andy Murray, in the second semi-final. The Argentine showed flawless performance against Djokovic and after brushing off all six
breakpoints he came across, Del Potro held his entire serves. He required a single break of serve in each set and ultimately stole the show.
The ecstatic Argentine commented in a press conference after claiming the medal:
“It’s fantastic beat Djokovic for the bronze medal. I also lost a very, very good match against Federer that give me confidence to play against them in the future. But anyway, I should work very, very hard to be better. I think been one of my best moments
in my career playing the Olympics, staying at the Village some days, share with all the athletes. Was fantastic. It’s a big, big experience for me. I should wait four more years to play another, but will be my heart for the rest of the life.”
As a result, Del Potro not only made his nation proud but also climbed to the eighth spot at the ATP World Tour Rankings.
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