By Chris Oddo | Friday January 12, 2018
Juan Martin powered past David Ferrer at the ASB Classic in Auckland to book a final with Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
Photo Source: AP
Juan Martin del Potro rolled into the ASB Classic final with a relatively uncomplicated 6-4, 6-4 win over David Ferrer on Friday night in Auckland, booking a spot alongside Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the final.
Del Potro saved six of seven break points including all five he faced in the second set to earn his third straight win over the 35-year-old Ferrer.
Del Potro successfully attacked the four-time champion’s second serve, winning 18 of 26 second-serve return points and breaking three times on six opportunities.
Del Potro improves to 3-0 on the season and reaches his 30th career final. He will enter the top 10 for the first time since August, 2014 in next week’s rankings, regardless of his result in the final.
Bautista Agut battled tooth-and-nail with Dutchmen Robin Haase, eventually emerging with a 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 7-6(5) victory in Friday’s first semifinal. The two-hour and 52-minute affair was highly entertaining from start to finish, with both players exchanging in highlight-reel rallies.
Bautista Agut squandered break leads in the second and third set before finally winning both sets in a tiebreaker. He converted match point with a beautiful lob that sailed over the head of a net-rushing Haase to clinch a spot in his 13th career final.
Del Potro leads the head-to-head with Bautista Agut 3-1, and the Argentinean has won each of their last three battles.