Team Argentina move into final as Djokovic retires against Del Potro – Davis Cup 2011 WG
With the Davis Cup 2011 World Group semi-final round towards it closing, Team Argentina went on qualifying for the final of the ITF event outranking the defending champions, Team Serbia. Starting off against each other on 16th of
September at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia; the tie ended with Argentina’s victory only after world number one Novak Djokovic retired from his match against Juan Martin Del Potro, though in all fairness the Serb was already trailing the score and well
on his way to a defeat.
Playing at indoor hard courts, Viktor Troicki started off the group stage semi-final; however, David Nalbandian was a greater deal for the Serbian to handle. Taking away the first rubber with a rather easy win, the Argentine handed
over the flag to compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro, ranked world No.13.
The 22-year-old Argentine had a struggling last season when he ruled out with a severe wrist injury. Returning back this season, Del Potro went off like a c4. The gigantic 6’6” reignited his season as world No.259 and quickly regained
formed winning Delray Beach International Tennis Championship.
The former raised the Argentine flag for the second time as he blistered Janko Tipsarevic, Serbian world No.17, and presented his team with a second rubber win. With Argentina blowing away the Serbians, the double rubber went off
next.
Teaming up for Serbia was Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic against Juan Ignacio Chela and Juan Monaco. Winning the first flag for the Serbians and a hope for sure, Troicki/Zimonjic went on beating the Argentines in straight sets and
handing the rest over to Djokovic. Djokovic was to play the Argentine giant, Del Potro in the fourth reverse singles rubber.
The two fired up the match with the world No.13 taking the lead hitting the first set 7-6(4). Djokovic seemed more conscious for his own ego rather than working out for his country as he did it again. With three games down in the
second set, the Serbian world No.1 retired what seemed like a back injury. Why is it that whenever he is about to lose a match, he tends to act injured.
However, another controversy we might take that as. With Del Potro celebrating his team win in tears, the final rubber of the tie, Monaco Vs Tipsarevic went off just after the World No.1 was shouldered out of the court. The world
no.17 went off rather easy and took away the first set of the final rubber.
Monaco who perhaps wanted to celebrate for their final qualification, retired from the match before the second set started making a statement, “this is where you retire!!” The Argentineans move into their fourth Davis Cup final
where they will take on the star-studded team of Spain.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in the article are the writer’s own personal views and have nothing to do with bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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