Top seed Juan Martin del Potro required just over an hour to book his place in the semifinals of the China Open after brushing aside Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 6-0.
Bidding to win his first ATP title on Chinese soil, the world No.4 proved too strong for his Serbian opponent. After coming through a tough opening game where he saved three break points, Del Potro dominated proceedings. The Argentine dropped just five points behind his first serve as he broke Krajinovic five times during the match.
“I think I played well,” Del Potro told atpworldtour.com. “I have been training hard to play at this level. Today, everything worked good, starting from my serve, from my forehands and backhands. That is the game that I need to go far in this tournament… Filip played good at the start of the match, but I was playing solid game from the baseline [and] I held all my service games.”
Already qualified to play at the season-ending ATP Finals in London for the first time in five years, the 30-year-old is hoping to claim his third ATP trophy of 2018 this week. Earlier this year Del Potro won his first Masters title in Indian Wells, as well as the Acapulco Open.
Up next for Del Potro will be fourth seed Fabio Fognini, who secured a milestone win in Beijing on Friday. The Italian No.1 recorded his 43rd win on the ATP Tour this season with a 6-4, 6-4, victory over Marton Fucsovics. Fognini has now won more matches on the tour this season than any other at the age of 31. He previously best was a win-loss of 42-27 in 2013.
“I will try to focus on my game. That is very important for me and I will try to do my best because at the moment I am feeling really good on court.” Fognini told Tennis TV about the upcoming semi-final.
The clash will be an opportunity for Del Potro to get revenge against his Italian rival. At the Los Cabos Open he suffered a straight sets loss to Fognini in the final. Overall, their head-to-head is tied at 1-1.
“It’s going to be a difficult one. Fabio beat me in the Mexico final this year. He’s playing very well already. He’s a smart player also. It’s going to be an interesting match to play. Fabio has a lot of chances to win that match, too. I have to play my best, for sure.” Said Del Potro.
In other matches, Kyle Edmund has secured a place in a ATP semi-final for the first time since the Marrakech Open in April. The British No.1 held his nerve to edge past Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 7-6(4). He will play Nikoloz Basilashvili or Malek Jaziri next.
