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Del Potro Indian Wells 2018
Tennis News

Del Potro downs ‘Cardiac Kid’ Isner to reach semis


The winning streak of Del Potro continues, after defeating 2007 finalist John Isner 6-4 6-4 at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic to reach the semi-finals.

Del Potro took advantage of a solitary break point in each set to decide the match after both players produced solid service performances throughout the match.

“It is tough to return his serve,” he said of 6’9” Isner. “My strategy was to break him once in each set and that’s what I did.”

Only Rafael Nadal has won more consecutive matches this season…

It was Del Potro’s 17th straight Tour win, and puts him through to his fourth semi-final in succession after claiming titles in Los Angeles, Kitzbuhel and Stuttgart over the past few weeks.

Only Rafael Nadal has won more consecutive matches this season, although Del Potro admitted his success is starting to take it’s toll.

“I am a bit tired from playing seven matches in 10 days but overall I feel good and I want to keep winning,” said the 19-year-old. “I have a lot of confidence right now. I won three tournaments and I beat good players.”

Defeat for Isner ends his involvement in the tournament where he made his breakthrough last year, coming back twice after having to break to stay in the match in both the quarters and semis to reach the final, a feat that lead the US press to dub him the ‘Cardiac Kid’.

Del Potro will face No.4 seed Tommy Haas, who appeared to make light work of Alejandro Falla winning 7-5 6-1 – not that he thought it was a walk in the park.

“He came out really strong,” said Haas. “He takes the ball early so it was hard to play him on the beginning of the match. I got broken early in the match and fell down 4-1. But at that point I started to feel the ball better.”

Haas, who at No.48 in the world is currently at his lowest ranking in four years, was measured when considering his prospects against one of the Tour’s form players.

“He seems to be the man to beat right now,” said the 30-year-old. “He is a big guy but moves well for a guy of his size. I will have to mix it up if I want to have a shot at him.”

There will be no chance of a second Del Potro-Roddick final in two weeks, after the American crashed out to Viktor Troicki.

The Serbian came back from losing the first seven games to beat the three-time champion 0-6 6-2 6-4.

“When you play a Top 10 player in the world you know you are not the favorite, but I played him in Miami and I had my chances there, so I knew I could win,” said Troicki.

Roddick had saved two match points in his second round match against Eduardo Schwank on Thursday.

Troicki will face Igor Kunitsyn for a spot in the final, after the Russian won 6-4 6-1 against Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman.

Kunitsyn, like Roddick, came from match point down in his second round match against Fabio Fognini to advance to the quarter-finals.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.