By Chris Oddo | Friday May 17, 2019
Novak Djokovic saved two match points and notched a meaningful three-set victory over Juan Martin del Potro in Rome on Friday night.
Photo Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Novak Djokovic saved two match points late in the second-set tiebreaker and rallied for a dramatic 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4 victory over Juan Martin del Potro at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Friday night in Rome.
In a heated battle that ended well after 1 AM Del Potro played far beyond expectations, especially given the fact that he was playing in just his seventh match of the season due to needing extra time to rehab his injured right knee.
He was in mid-season form on Friday and pushed Djokovic to the limit.
Del Potro was rock-solid from the baseline and incredible off of both wings as he forced Djokovic on the defensive for the better part of the first two sets.
But Djokovic was up to the task, and his trademark defense enabled him to bring Del Potro into a physical battle that was back-and-forth much to the delight of the rowdy crowd at the Foro Italico.
Finally Djokovic turned the tide on his second match point save when he executed a daring drop shot to level the second-set breaker at 6-all. Del Potro had his chance on the previous point but he squandered an opportunity with a nervy forehand.
The icy Serb showed tons of fire as well and he gained the edge in the third set and never let it slip.
It was a fierce battle between two rivals with immense respect for one another. Djokovic and Del Potro have now met 20 times, with Djokovic taking 16 victories, including the last five.
The Serb will move on to face Diego Schwartzman in Saturday’s semis from Rome—he is now just two wins from his fifth title in the eternal city.
Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas will meet in the other semifinal.
More to follow.