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Juan Martin del Potro (zimbio.com)
Fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro has reached his first Wimbledon quarter-final since 2013 after battling his way past Gilles Simon 7-6(1), 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5), in a marathon encounter that span over two days.
The Argentine started his fourth round clash on Monday evening, but it was postponed due to darkness. Resuming play at The All England Club with a two-sets-to-one lead, Del Potro continued to be tested by his rival. A lacklustre service game concluded with a double fault to gift Simon a break for 3-1 in the fourth set. Coming from behind, Del Potro broke back immediately after coming through a marathon 13-minute game on route to levelling 3-3.
Similar to the first day of their clash, the 29-year-old was visibly frustrated with his inability to maintain consistency on the court. Allowing Simon to display glimmers of tennis that took him to sixth in the world back in 2009. Breaking once more for a chance to serve the match out, four match points came and went. With little disparity between the two, it wasn’t until the very end of the tiebreaker that Del Potro prevailed. Leading 6-5, a Simon backhand crashing into the net secured his place in the last eight of the tournament.
“That is good signal for myself. I’m already having a good season. I’m very proud to be in the last eight players of this tournament. Everybody wants to be there, for sure.” Del Potro said following the match.
Firing a total of 27 aces and 78 winners, Del Potro’s reward is a showdown with second seed Rafael Nadal. It will be the third time the two have locked horns on the grass, but their first since Wimbledon 2011. He is yet to defeat Nadal on the grass and trails their head-to-head 5-10.
“It will be a different match that when we played in Paris (at the French Open) a few weeks ago. I will try to hold my service games most of the time.” He said about the upcoming clash.
“If I want to beat him, I have to come to the net very often and play hard with my forehands, with my backhands, and try to take all the chances.”
Speaking about the Argentines chances, Simon has backed Del Potro to cause a shock win. The world No.4 has already won two ATP titles this season, including his first Masters 1000 trophy in Indian Wells. He has also defeated five different top-10 players in 2018 so far.
“He always has a chance.” Simon replied when asked if Del Potro can defeat Nadal. “He has already beat him. He is able to beat all the top guys. That’s why also many people likes to watch him play, because you feel something can happen. He has a lot of strengths in his game.”
The woes
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A lot has happened to the Argentine since his last appearance in the last four of Wimbledon. He missed nine consecutive grand slam main draws between 2014-2016 due to undergoing three surgeries on his wrists. At one point he contemplated retiring from the sport due to the severity of the problem. In total, Del Potro has undergone four surgeries on his wrists of which three was on on his left wrist.
“I’m dealing with all my emotions on court. I been through a lot of problems few years ago. But now I’m thinking about the future, about my present as well. I’m excited to keep going. I like to keep surprising myself in every tournament.” He said.
The next surprise he is hoping to achieve is a win over French Open champion Nadal. The Spaniard has reached the last eight of the tournament for the first time since 2011 and is yet to drop a set.
“Everybody knows the favourites are Roger and Rafa. But the other six players are fighting for that big goal, as well.” Del Potro explained.
“There could be a surprise this year. You never know. We (the other players) always want to win a title like this, but is not easy to beat these guys in this big event.
“I’m a quarter-finalist, that’s means I have a chance to keep going.”
Del Potro’s match against Nadal will be the second on Centre Court on Thursday.