A few days in the past, Juan Martin del Potro performed the final match of his profession in an exhibition versus Novak Djokovic in Buenos Aires. The 2009 US Open champion gave every part to increase his profession following two extreme knee accidents.
He underwent six surgical procedures between 2019 and 2022 however with out consequence. Del Potro has been coping with ache whereas doing on a regular basis issues, and he determined to terminate his tennis journey whereas competing in opposition to his nice good friend. Juan Martin defeated Novak 6-4, 7-5 on a memorable day.
Novak Djokovic & del Potro, Buenos Aires 2024© Stream screenshot
The Argentine made a reputation for himself in the summertime of 2009, elevating his gave to a different stage and crowning that with the US Open title. Juan Martin ousted Roger Federer within the title conflict, incomes his spot amongst tennis immortals at 21.
9 years later, del Potro embraced his final notable run at Majors, you guess, on the US Open. It was a memorable 12 months for the Argentine, profitable his first Masters 1000 title and changing into world no. 3. Juan Martin’s penultimate Main match virtually ended with a trophy.
It is a story of his 2018 US Open run, a victory over Rafael Nadal and one other notable duel in opposition to Novak Djokovic.
Aclaración previa:
El último 🇦🇷 que logró vencer al número uno del mundo fue Juan Martín del Potro: 7-6(3), 6-2 y ret. a Rafael Nadal🇪🇸 en la semifinal del US Open 2018.
Delpo tiene un récord de 10-14 ante vigentes número uno del rating. pic.twitter.com/iL34Fz9rFB
— Pierde Punto Sale (@pierdepuntosale) April 7, 2024 Juan Martin del Potro’s 2018 US Open brilliance
Del Potro embraced injury-free season within the first 9 months of 2018, leaving the setbacks behind and producing his finest tennis. He fell to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and entered the US Open with excessive hopes. The champion from 9 years in the past made a dependable begin.
Juan Martin used a good begin and ousted Donald Younger and Denis Kudla for a spot within the third spherical. The Argentine wanted virtually three hours to defeat Fernando Verdasco, enjoying higher within the pivotal moments and reaching the final 16 with out dropping a set.
del Potro & Novak Djokovic© Stream screenshot
Del Potro confronted Borna Coric within the fourth spherical and earned a dominant 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 victory. Juan Martin dropped serve as soon as and took cost on the return, offering six breaks and controlling the scoreboard. World no. 11 John Isner saved del Potro on the court docket for 3 and a half hours.
The American claimed the opener within the tie break and reached one other within the third. Juan Martin served properly, denying all three break factors and claiming units two, three and 4 en path to a stable victory and a spot within the semi-final. Thus, he collected two Main semi-finals in a season for the primary time since 2009.
Nadal jette l’éponge ! Touché au genou droit, l’Espagnol est contraint à l’abandon après avoir perdu les deux premiers units (7-6, 6-2). Del Potro est en finale de l’#USOpen ! pic.twitter.com/mMEXHu4hi4
— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) September 7, 2018 Del Potro passes injured Nadal
A 12 months in the past, Rafael Nadal ousted Juan Martin del Potro within the US Open semi-final. The Argentine served revenge this time, main 7-6, 6-2 earlier than the Spaniard retired because of knee harm. Nadal battled previous Dominic Thiem in virtually 5 hours within the quarter-final.
The Spaniard couldn’t recuperate for the semi-final duel, combating onerous within the opener earlier than dropping floor and struggling the fourth lack of the season. They pushed one another to the boundaries within the opening set, hitting extra winners than unforced errors and holding the gang entertained.
Rafael Nadal & Juan Martin del Potro, US Open 2018© Stream screenshot
They traded breaks at the start of the duel and produced six comfy holds for 4-4. The Argentine supplied one other break within the ninth sport and served for the opener at 5-4. Nadal denied two break factors and pulled the break again for extra drama.
They served properly in video games 11 and 12 and launched a tie break. Juan Martin claimed it 7-3, shifting in entrance and gathering a large enhance. Nadal misplaced steam and struggled within the second set. He performed in opposition to 9 break factors and suffered breaks in video games 4 and eight.
Del Potro claimed the set 6-2, and his rival retired to propel him into the primary Main ultimate in 9 years.
Juan Martin loses the ultimate to Novak Djokovic
Chasing his second Main title, Juan Martin confronted Novak Djokovic within the ultimate. The Serb scored a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory in three hours and quarter-hour, clinching his third US Open trophy and matching Pete Sampras’ 14 Main titles. Juan Martin dropped one set en path to the ultimate.
Juan Martin del Potro & Novak Djokovic, US Open 2018© Stream screenshot
Nevertheless, he might prolong the profitable streak and beat an in-form legend regardless of an incredible effort. Djokovic shined in each section, taming his strokes properly and overpowering del Potro. Novak confronted six break factors and suffered two breaks, mounting the strain on the opposite facet.
The Serb took 39% of the return factors and turned them to 4 breaks from seven alternatives. They hit 30 winners, and Juan Martin plagued his probabilities with virtually 50 unforced errors. He couldn’t defend his backhand, and Novak denied the rival’s forehand assaults.
They served properly within the first seven video games of the opener. Djokovic secured a break in sport eight and wrapped up the primary a part of the duel with a maintain a couple of minutes later for 6-3. They battled for over 90 minutes within the second set, making it one of the prolonged ones within the Main finals.
Juan Martin del Potro & Novak Djokovic, US Open 2018© Stream screenshot
Novak clinched a break within the third sport and cast a 3-1 benefit. Juan Martin bounced again in sport six, delivering his first break and locking the consequence at 3-3. Djokovic confronted the final word problem at 3-4. He denied three break factors and held after 20 minutes for a lift of confidence.
They served properly within the final 4 video games and launched a tie break. It began with 4 mini-breaks within the opening 5 factors. They stayed locked up at 4-4 earlier than Juan Martin sprayed a large forehand error. The Serb claimed two factors on serve, securing the breaker 7-4 and constructing a large benefit.
Juan martin del Potro & Novak Djokovic, US Open 2018© Stream screenshot
Djokovic supplied a break within the fourth sport of the third set, shifting nearer to the end line. Nevertheless, del Potro pulled it again within the subsequent one, decreasing the hole and lengthening his probabilities. Novak saved his composure and delivered one other break in sport eight that despatched him 5-3 up.
The Serb served for the title at 5-3 and sealed the cope with a smash winner, incomes his second straight Main and writing historical past books.
