Juan Martin Del Potro smothers Kevin Anderson in round two fixtures – Valencia Open 2011
Juan Martin Del Potro, Argentine world No.14, qualified for the quarter-final round of Valencia Open 2011, as the 23-year-old destroyed his 2nd round competitor, South African world No. 30, Kevin Anderson, 6-4, 6-4, in an hour and 31 minutes hard indoor circuit match at Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Valencia, Spain, on Thursday 3rd of November.
Firing up first, Anderson served out the match opener and nearly broke down. Saving a breakpoint, South African rolled down his side of the scoreboard and took the lead, 1-0. Levelling up next, Del Potro followed with a winner, 2-2. Breaking the 25-year-old world No.30, the Argentine took control as he led the set 2-1.
Serving out his second game of the set, Del Potro ignited and extended his lead to 3-1. Cutting down the lead, Anderson did come close, however, was unable to break back after that. Continuing on his serve, world No.14, pocketed game six and led the set, 4-2.
Although the South African was on the 23-year-old tail, yet could not capitalize a breakpoint and eventually lost the set, 6-4, and moved on to play set two.
Struggling in the first set, Anderson had a flying start in the second. Winning away a triple breakpoint, world No.30 took out the set opener to lead, 1-0. However, the mighty Argentine did pose an equally strong defence rolling down his side of the scoreboard winning game two, 1-1.
With the scores once again levelling up, the two battled out four more games and evened up first at 2-2 and then at 3-3. Trying to finish off the match early, Del Potro struck in game seven, breaking the lower ranked rival and taking the lead, 4-3.
Anderson, breaking back right away, levelled up the scores once again, 4-4, however, could not hold back for long. The 23-year-old struck back again, breaking the South African for the second time in three back-to-back games and led the scoreboard, 5-4.
With just one more game left to finish off the fixture, Del Potro swirled away with a final cross court winner to finish off the set, 6-4, and the match in straight sets to enter the quarter-final stage of the ATP World Tour Event.
Through to the final stages of Valencia Open 2011, the Argentine is getting better and better with every game he plays. With the quarter-final next in line, Del Potro is now up against American, Sam Querrey, to battle out the quarter-final round.
Although the American has playing all the right shots, his match against the world No.14 seems to be one sided as Del Potro has been in terrific form this season on hard courts. However, an upset is always welcomed.
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