Second seed Juan Martin del Potro admits that he exceeded his own expectations with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-4, win over Denis Shapovalov at the ASB Classic.
Playing in his first competitive match of the new year, the former US Open champion was in clinical form. Winning 75% of his service points without facing a single break point throughout the 65-minute encounter. In comparison, Shapovalov’s all or nothing approach proved costly as he hit 37 unforced errors to 22 winners in the match.
“I am surprised with my game today.” Del Potro said following the match. “I didn’t expect to play at this level, to win my first match in the new year. But I think I’ve been working hard to show this tennis and to play at this level very often throughout the year.”
The win is sweet revenge for the Argentinian. Last year he fell in straight sets to Shapovalov at the Canadian Masters. The 18-year-old world No.50 has been tipped to be a future star of the men’s game. Something that Del Potro also agrees with.
“If he has a good day he is very dangerous before he is a lefty, he serves well and he can serve some volleys.” Del Potro said of Shapovalov.
“In that match (at the Canadian Masters) he was better than me, but today I broke him many times and that was they key of this match.”
Del Potro will take on Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals. The 21-year-old knocked out sixth seed Pablo Cuevas 6-2, 7-6(4). Firing ten aces down the line and breaking three times during the match. The upcoming clash will be the first meeting between the two on the tour.
“He has a big serve. His forehand is very powerful. I will see if I can play at the same level as today.“ Del Potro evaluated about his next opponent.
Sock goes out
Elsewhere at the tournament, top seed and defending champion Jack Sock suffered a shock 6-3, 6-3, loss to Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk. Despite playing in the Hopman Cup last week, the American appeared rusty throughout the match. Allowing world No.65 Gojowczky to seize his chance to book a last eight showdown against Robin Haase.
“I came in hoping to play as many matches as possible here, I thought Peter played some incredible tennis today.” Said Sock.
“I love this event, I wish I could have stayed longer but it wasn’t my day, I didn’t find my game as much as he did.”
Another high profile casualty was Sam Querrey. The American third seed was edged out by Jiri Vesely during a marathon clash lasting almost two-and-a-half hours. Querrey saved two match points in the second set, but eventually lost 6-4, 6-7(10), 7-6(5), to the Czech.
Former junior world No.1 Vesely will next take on Roberto Bautista Agut.
Tomorrow's Order of Play is here! Get ready for an another action-packed day at the #ASBClassic. pic.twitter.com/y4P05lTyks
— ASB Classic (@ASB_Classic) January 10, 2018
