World No.6 Roger Federer has continued his emphatic dominance of the American hard courts with a 6-3, 6-4, win over Juan Martin del Potro in the third round at the Miami Open.
Monday’s blockbuster clash could have been mistaken for a final. The premier stadium in Miami was at full capacity with few empty seats. English chants urging Federer on was matched by Spanish outbursts of support for Del Potro. Despite the disparity in the rankings between the two, it was a true illustration of how valuable both men are on the tour.
“Just shortly before I walked out to the court you could sense the atmosphere. That’s when I told myself, Just be prepared for something different. It was different.” Said Federer.
“I think if the match would’ve gone three sets or tiebreakers or something even closer, would’ve been really epic.” He added.
The highly billed encounter between the two instrumental figures in men’s tennis lived up to its hype during the early stages. Federer’s seemingly flawless service motion saw the Swiss player dropped just four points in his first four service games. Meanwhile, Del Potro was able to keep within contention with the use of his trusted forehand and speedy serve (which was faster than Federer).
Ultimately, it was Federer who was the one in cruise control. Failing four times to convert a break point, his first breakthrough occurred in the eighth game of the match. A tentative approached to the middle of the net by the Argentine allowed Federer to easily smash a winning forehand passing shot, securing the break for 5-3. Still, closing the opening set was far from simple.
Finally, it was del Potro’s turn to apply the pressure as he utilized his powerful forehand to grab a quartet of chances of break back, but failed to capitalise on all of them. Del Potro’s missed opportunities soon came back to haunt him. A resilient Federer sealed the 38-minute set with the help of a delicate backhand drop-shot at the net, his 17th winner of the match.
Three games into the second set, fear erupted amongst Del Potro fans as he received medical time out on his troublesome wrists, which were both strapped. Last year Del Potro staged a high profile return to the men’s tour after being sidelined with a severe wrist injury. The issue nearly resulted in the former US Open champion stepping away from the sport. The 29-year-old played down the issue shortly after the match.
Del Porto says his wrists got strapped because he was sweating too much. 'Nothing to worry about'.
— Mike Dickson (@Mike_Dickson_DM) 27 March 2017
Proceedings continued to go against Del Potro as Federer continued to exert his supremacy. Dismantling the Del Potro backhand, the Swiss strolled to a set and a break lead. The highly anticipated showdown seemed destined to turn into a one-man show. Fortunately for the animated crowd, the underdog kept fighting. Still, it wasn’t enough from Del Potro as the 18-time grand slam champion secured the victory with a love service game.
” I felt like I was in control and I was able to generate more chances than he did.” The 35-year-old said following his match. “I mean, a little bit out of nowhere I felt like he got his chances, but maybe because I dropped my level ever so slightly and gave him few easy points, and that’s how he sort of got more chances on my serve.”
“So I feel like I earned it more. I was more the aggressor. It was more on my racquet, and I like it that way.”
How did your Monday go at work?
We bet not as good as @rogerfederer‘s…. #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/lyKuIBVylQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 27 March 2017
Federer, who produced 29 winners and 19 unforced errors in his third round match, will next play Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. The world No.18 battled back from a set down to defeat Sam Querrey 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
“I respect Bautista Agut a lot. I was watching his match against Querrey and I really thought Querrey was playing great in the first set.” Federer admitted. “I thought that at some point he was going steamroll, but that’s what Bautista Agut does so well. He competes so well point for point, day in day out, and he plays ton of tournaments, and he’s really just match tough.”
The world No.6 currently leads Bautista Agut 5-0 in their head-to-head.
