Juan Martin Del Potro plays a fantastic match to beat Roger Federer in the US Open quarters. The Swiss Maestro wasn’t definitely at his best, but the Argentine was great in fighting the world no.3 and a nasty cold to grab the encounter in 4 sets.

The Match

Even if Federer had a horrible start with a shaky forehand and a “not-so-biting” serve, Roger managed to stay with Del Potro till the 11^th game when he dropped his serve (5-6) after a scrappy display (with a double fault involved). That was enough to give to Delpo the opportunity to win the opener 7-5.

Roger found some light in the 2^nd set after he conquered the decisive break in the 4^th game (3-1) before winning the set 6-3. Even if Federer won that set, it was clear that he wasn’t at his very best, but it was important staying with Juan Martin.

The 3rd set was crucial for the fortune of the match. Roger gave away his serve immediately to trail on a 0-3 scoreline. When Federer got back that break (3-4), it seemed as he had his match back, but things got really ugly in the following breaker when Roger couldn’t convert 4 set points. In fact, the Swiss was leading 6-4 when Del Potro saved the first break point on Roger’s serve with a grueling forehand return that landed on the service line just before saving the second one with an ace (6-6). Roger got another set point soon after (7-6), but he couldn’t win the rally at the net when he was in full control (that was probably the point of the match). Federer couldn’t also convert the 4^th set point when he was leading 8-7. The Argentine was much sharper when he managed to convert his first set point when he was leading 9-8. In fact, Federer served on Del Potro’s forehand to immediately go to the net. Federer’s action was far too predictable, and Juan Martin was 100% ready for that combination, and he didn’t miss the opportunity to win the point and conquer the 3rd set.

Federer looked quite dejected in the 4th set, and he was broken again in the 5th game (2-3) after he predictably served (again) on Del Potro’s backhand that (again) passed Roger with a fantastic return. That was enough as Del Potro didn’t concede anymore a single break point. The Argentine won that match 7-5 3-6 7-6 (8)6-4.

I played my best match of the tournament. DEL POTRO

Soon after the match, an elated Del Potro commented

“I think I played my best match of the tournament. I played everything well. My serve was good; I hit my forehands as hard as I possibly could.

This is my home court too. The fans make me feel happy every time I play here. I hope against Rafa the crowd will be cheering for me again.”

Del Potro nearly earholes Federer with a return pic.twitter.com/tcGugyE2K3

— That Dude (@cjzer0) September 7, 2017

The semi-final vs. Nadal

Del Potro will face Nadal in the semi-final. The head to head is 5-4 for Juan Martin that is also leading Rafa 5-4 on hard courts, and he has defeated the world no1 in the last two matches.