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By Richard Pagliaro | Monday, March 27, 2017

 
Roger Federer

In a rematch of the 2009 US Open final, Roger Federer swept Juan Martin del Potro, 6-3, 6-4, cruising into the Miami Open fourth round.

Photo credit: Miami Open

Sing-song chants from fans created a festival atmosphere for today’s blockbuster rematch between Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro.

Sharp squeals from the Swiss’ dancing feet were audible reminders of Federer’s forward flow.

Watch: Miami Open Live Blog

Whirling inside the baseline, Federer dissected del Potro with a polished first-strike attack, 6-3, 6-4, cruising into the Miami Open fourth round for the 12th time.

It was Federer’s eighth straight victory ensuring he will return to the Top 4 when the new ATP rankings are released next week. It also keeps the Indian Wells champion's quest to complete his first Sunshine double since 2006 alive.

Fifteen years after Federer fell to Andre Agassi in his first Key Biscayne final, he exuded a relaxed energy in a rematch of the 2009 US Open final.

Federer fired seven aces, erased all five break points he faced and spent much of the match sliding forward to take del Potro’s second serve on the rise, robbing the 29th seed of reaction time and punishing his backhand wing.

"He always play good tennis. He's the best of the history," del Potro said of Federer. "He played solid in the important moments. He's the guy winning the big events on this season, and I wish all the best to him. Would be great if we see him in the top positions again."

Bringing fluidity and flash from the start, Federer dispensed the serve-and-volley to seal a love hold.

Angling a superb backhand return winner off a 133 mph serve, Federer gained two break points in the second game. In a rapid-fire net exchange, Del Potro stood his ground with successive backhand volleys holding to incite a roar of “Ole, Ole, Delpo, Delpo” from the faithful.




At the outset, Federer stepped in seeking to rip backhand returns off second serves. Del Potro countered with some aggressive second-serving powering through a two-ace hold for 2-all.

The 2009 US Open champion cracked timely serves denying a pair of break points to hold in the sixth game.

Two games later, Federer was dancing inside the baseline again slashing an inside-out forehand for two more break points. This time, Federer finished his opportunity curling a forehand down the line securing the first break for 5-3.

Grunting with the power of a man slamming shut a steel door in the face of a fierce wind, del Potro unloaded his heaviest forehands for double break point. Sliding a 98 mph second serve out wide, Federer fought off the first then used the wide serve-forehand down the line dagger to erase the second. On third break point, Federer squeezed another forehand down the line.

Ratcheting up his level of play, Federer staved off a fourth break point with an ace then snuck in for a forehand volley for set point. Federer wrapped a ribbon of creative dressing around a gritty game with a backhand drop volley that floated into the front court drawing gasps from some fans.


The Australian Open champion produced a substantial edge in winners—17 to 7—and repeatedly glided inside the baseline challenging the towering Argentine’s second serve.

Three games into the second set, del Potro had his wrists re-taped by the trainer.

Moving with urgency, the two-time champion broke down del Potro’s weaker backhand wing in the fifth game.

Driving a diagonal forehand into the Argentine’s two-hander Federer collected the early break for a 3-2 second-set lead at the 59-minute mark.

Each time del Potro pressed the 35-year-old Swiss on serve, the fourth seeded had an answer. Firing his fifth ace, Federer extended the lead to 4-2.

Sharp angles and sudden changes of direction from Federer discombobulated del Potro for a stretch as he confronted a seventh break point in the seventh game. Del Potro pounded a 121 mph ace holding for 3-4.

The Argentine faithful tried to rouse the Olympic silver medalist with chants of “Delpo! Delpo!” in the eighth game. Federer calmed the uprising saving a break point with a bold second serve then dotting the serve box with an ace holding for 5-3.




An ace set up match point. Lashing a forehand down the line, Federer served out a sharp performance at love setting up a fourth-round match with Roberto Bautista Agut. The 14th-seeded Spaniard broke serve seven times surging past Sam Querrey, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Adrian Mannarino edged Borna Coric, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (3) setting up a fourth-round meeting with Tomas Berdych. The 10th-seeded Czech swept Gilles Muller, 6-3, 6-4.

 

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