Juan Martin Del Potro surprises Novak Djokovic to capture bronze medal – London Olympics 2012
Argentinean star, Juan Martin Del Potro, stunned the former world number one, Novak Djokovic in straight sets at the London Olympics 2012 on Sunday. He recorded a 7-5, 6-4 victory against the second seeded Serb to capture the bronze medal at this major sports event taking place after every four years.
The eighth seeded Argentine displayed top notch performance to outmuscle the Serbian top in their sixth encounter at Games of x*x Olympiad. After stealing the show in one hour and 48 minutes, Del Potro not only improved to a 2-4 lifetime in the FedEx ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Head 2 Head series against the world number two but also made his nation proud after bagging their first medal at this Olympics.
Del Potro was quoted in a post match press conference after conquering the Serb:
"I think I'm the most happy [person in] the world at this moment. It's our (Argentina's) first medal at this Olympic Games. It's the first time in men’s singles. I think it means a lot for us. I wish a fantastic day for [Argentineans] to celebrate this with me… It's amazing. It's history, I think. It's time to celebrate all together. After a really sad day two days ago, it's not easy to recovery and to play these kind of matches. But I had energy in my body, in my heart and that's helped me to play this big challenge.”
The 23-year-old made a nervy entry at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. He suffered the first blow in the opening game but quickly recovered in the very next game. Del Potro carried his rhythm and kept on exchanging serve breaks until he swiped his serve for the first time in the 11th game. He capitalised on his sixth break chance in the last game and clicked the opener with a 7-5 win.
The eighth ranked Argentine kept momentum sailing in the follow-up set. He lost his opening serve but stroke out the proceeding three games in a row, eventually taking a 3-1 lead. Del Potro then exchanged three serve breaks and subsequently sealed the set by winning six games to four.
Del Potro set up this clash after bowing out to the world number one, Roger Federer, on Friday. He suffered a 6-3, 6-7(5), 17-19 loss in two hours and 47 minutes. The Argentine is now 45-11 record this season and has already conquered two titles: Open 13 and Estoril Open.
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