By Erik Gudris | Saturday, March 12, 2016
Tomas Berdych withstood a defiant Juan Martin Del Potro making his Indian Wells return to advance in straight sets.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Two of the tour’s biggest hitters reunited after nearly four years to produce a memorable early round encounter at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.
It’s Tomas Berdych who’s moving on into the third round after enduring a stern test from the comeback kid Juan Martin Del Potro.
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Berdych and Del Potro had not faced each other since the Argentine won their last meeting nearly four years ago in the round of 16 at Roland Garros. Now Del Potro is back on the comeback trail after recently returning to tour having recovered from wrist surgery last year.
With the pressure on Berdych being the higher ranked player, the Czech often looked the less steady player in the opening stages of the first set. Berdych survived an error filled third game that saw him save three break points before eventually holding for 2-1.
Though Del Potro was more solid serving wise, he still tried to protect his backhand wing. Del Potro often hit more slice backhands than two-handers in most of the rallies. But that didn’t stop Del Potro from staying in touch with Berdych.
A wild card entrant into the main draw, Del Potro made up for his backhand by continuing to hit huge forehands throughout the set. Del Potro, who was the underdog, knew that he had a chance to possibly pull off the upset. Del Potro often growled in frustration at his missed opportuntiies. Eventually a tiebreak was needed to settle the first set. Berdych climbed out to a 4-2 advantage thanks to a Del Potro double fault.
With stellar defense the Argentine would deny Berdych opening up a bigger lead. At 5-3, Del Potro chased down a Berdych overhead and forced his oppoent to hit another one. Berdych sent another smash long putting things back on serve.
But Berdych would eventually take the set 7-6(4) after Del Potro committed two more forehand errors.
As Del Potro’s game started to unravel in the second set, Berdych took advantage. Berdych broke Del Potro early to take a 2-1 lead. Del Potro started to wear down physically after his long rallies with Berdych. The Czech broke again to take a 4-1 edge. But Del Potro wasn’t done yet.
Down 5-1, the Argentine endured a 10 minute game where he saved three match points against him. A final huge forehand from Del Potro earned him the game and appreciative applause from the crowd.
Berdych was finally able to put the match away on his fourth match point in the next game.
Despite the loss, Del Potro only saw positives as he looks ahead to the rest of the year.
“I played a great first set. I had my opportunities to win that set and I miss it. I think of course I'm sad for my lose, but I'm in a good way to get better in the future. It's not easy play against Tomas. Even if I'm 100%, he's a great player. He plays so aggressive all the time, and I had to run a lot today. But I think the positive thing is I'm in a good way to improve my game,” Del Potro said. “I play against top 10 guy today and I didn't lose 6-Love, 6-Love, you know. I was close to win a set to Berdych. That's mean something, you know. These guys going to show me how far I am to them and in the present, and I have many things to work.”
Berdych will next play Borna Coric in the third round.