Juan Martin Del Potro is not a name that any seeded player wanted to see in their side of the draw in Indian Wells, but Tomas Berdych managed to find a way to defeat the big-hitting Argentinian winning in straight sets 7-6, 6-2.
The match started in great fashion, with Del Potro forcing much of the early play. Earning three break points early with Berdych down love-forty. The Czech player though, saved all three and the match stayed on serve. Both men were dominating with their forehands, with much of the play based on directing the ball into one another’s backhand. Del Potro in particular was demonstrating excellent movement and footwork, often running around to hit his forehand.
Berdych was forced to save two more break points in game nine, before earning his single break point when Del Potro served to stay in the set at five-six, but Berdych failed to return a big serve.
A tie-break beckoned, and it was Berdych who seized the early initiative, taking a short ball from Del Potro for a forehand winner. Del Potro quickly returned to serve, but again handed Berdych the advantage, with the Czech leading four-two at the change of ends. An ace quickly made it five-three for Berdych before perhaps the point of the match. Berdych came to the net off an aggressive forehand. Del Potro superbly retrieved a heavily angled overhead, and Berdych missed the second smash wide to see Del Potro move on serve again. Del Potro missed a forehand, challenging in vain. Berdych would go on to finally seal the tie break seven-four.
The second set did not prove as close as the first, as Del Potro’s level began to drop. He missed a number of backhands, also leaving a number short that Berdych picked up. Berdych quickly earned a double break, and nearly forced a third at five-one, with Del Potro forced to save multiple match points, before holding.
It was then Del Potro’s turn to apply some belated pressure, earning love-thirty against Berdych. Del Potro netted a standard forehand to give Del Potro break points. Berdych saved both to reach deuce. A final backhand winner down the line from Berdych saw him win the keenly contested match.
Berdych will now face either Borna Coric or Thomaz Bellucci in the third round.
