Juan Martin Del Potro battled past big hitting Russian Karen Khachanov and some cramps as he advanced to the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-4 7-6(4) 6-7(0) 6-4 victory.
The Argentinian started the contest better than his Russian opponent as he broke in the third game for a 2-1 lead. The first set saw a lot of big hitting as both men tried to hit through the court with their biggest and best weapons as it was a battle of the powerful players. Despite facing a couple of break points, the 12th seed held on to seal the first set 6-4 in 50 minutes.
The second set was a tighter affair as the Russian protected his serve more with a higher percentage of accuracy. The world number 47 managed to save three break points in the fifth game as he took more risks with less margin for error. As a result his game matched up to his Argentinian opponent as he forced the world number 10 into a second set tiebreak. However the former US Open was just too strong and better on the bigger points as he dominated the tiebreak, 7-4.
The third set saw Khachanov make his first major breakthrough in the match as he broke the Argentinian to love, for a third set advantage. Despite the Russian’s big forehands, Del Potro came roaring back as he broke straight back with his first break point opportunity. However it didn’t matter for the Russian as he didn’t drop a point in the resulting tiebreak to force a fourth set.
In set four Del Potro gained the advantage after working hard to break for a 3-2 lead. Despite the advantage the Argentinian had to be treated for cramps in his upper leg as he showed the effects of the brutal match. Khachanov couldn’t take his chances after Del Potro’s medical time-out and made some tactical errors. The 12th seed booked his place into the third round after 3 hours and 49 minutes.
It was a very good effort from Khachanov and tested Del Potro to his limits however it is the Argentinian who advances to the third round. If fit the Argentinian will now meet 19th seed Tomas Berdych who overcame Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3 2-6 6-2 6-3. The Czech Republican hit 12 aces as he booked his place into Saturday’s showdown with Del Potro.
