Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro has retained his Stockholm Open title with a comprehensive 6-4, 6-2 win over Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov.
Both men are former champions in the Swedish capital, but it was del potro who took control of the match from the off. Dimitrov double-faulted twice in his first service game and though the World No.8 eventually held that game it set the tone for the rest of the match.
Del Potro broke in the fifth game, earning a pair of forehand errors from Dimitrov to lead. Del Potro then saved a single break point to close out the opening set.
Del Potro’s cannon-like forehand continued to dominate proceedings, with Dimitrov trying to build rallies with a cross-court sliced backhand to del Potro’s backhand. Too often though there was not enough bite or depth on the Dimitrov slice, and del Potro had little trouble running around his backhand to hit his favoured forehand shot.
Dimitrov continued to try to use the slice, switching up occasionally by coming in. Del Potro though had all the answers, sealing two breaks with errors from the Bulgarian. Del Potro remained perfect on serve, saving three break points as Dimitrov attempted a comeback.
Del Potro retains the title he won last year with victory over the United States’ Jack Sock. The win was achieved in one hour and twenty-seven minutes.
Dimitrov’s runner-up showing means his place in the ATP Finals is all but assured. Del Potro’s win means his unlikely aim of qualifying for London remain alive, though the Argentine requires strong performances in both Basel, where he is seeded 4th in the bottom half of the draw, and the final Masters 1000 event of the season in Paris-Bercy.
Del Potro: “Thank you very much, I play the best match of the week against Grigor today. You already beat me twice! I’d like to congratulate your team. Its amazing to come back and I hold this big trophy. I would like to thank everyone from the organisation, to Stefan, and the ball kids, I really enjoy playing tennis in Stockholm. Well, to end the ceremony I would like to thank my team, my physio, my coach.”
Del Potro also added his thanks to his family and friends in Argentina with a tribute in Spanish.
Del Potro wins more than one hundred thousand euros, and more importantly, 250 ATP points.
