Victory for Murray

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:44

The Scot looked set for defeat after Del Potro took the first set, the first Murray had lost all week.

Del Potro continued to look formidable, and his heavy forehands were proving devastating, but his level dropped once Murray won the second set tie-break, and the man who will be confirmed as the new world number two on Monday completed a 6-7 (7/4) 7-6 (7/3) 6-1 victory.

Del Potro took the first set on a tie-break, after neither player dropped serve. He claimed a vital mini-break on the ninth point of the tie-break, and served out.

Murray broke the Del Potro serve in the opening game of the second set, but the advantage did not last. Del Potro broke back instantly, and then held serve.

The way he swatted away a difficult cross-court forehand to win the fifth game of the set was indicative of his confidence. But the set remained on serve, and it was not so easy to sway Murray away.

Another tie-break loomed and, after an early exchange of mini-breaks, Murray took charge of it to level the match.

Murray dominated the opening four games of the deciding set, winning each of them, before Del Potro, who had looked a beaten man, hit back briefly by breaking Murray to 15.

The fightback was short-lived though, as Murray won the next two games to complete a stunning victory, and improve his record against Del Potro to four wins in five meetings.

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