“I’m looking forward to [continuing] winning”.
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That one, glorious effort remains del Potro’s only Grand Slam championship.
Giant Argentine del Potro has made the last 16 without dropping a set as he continues the red-hot form which took him to the Olympic final in Rio, beating Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on the way. This year has also seen the 2013 French Open finalist drop out of world’s top 10 for the first time in six years.
Marchenko now faces world number three Stan Wawrinka, who survived a match point against him to win in five sets against Britain’s Dan Evans. Even when he sent fan favorite Andy Roddick into retirement with a fourth-round victory at the 2012 Open, del Potro was applauded for graciously joining fans in saluting Roddick and deferring to Roddick for a post-match speech to the crowd.
On Thursday, del Potro’s serve – not his signature forehand – was the difference.
Later in the press conference, del Potro was asked how he accomplished all that he has in recent months. Ferrer’s biggest strengths are his tenacity and defensive abilities.
“I shouldn’t let the moment get the best of me”, he said, “and it did for a bit”.
Thiem entered this tournament with a mediocre 45-41 career record on hard courts, which does not compare well to del Potro’s 229-94 mark. With momentum and the crowds in Del Potro’s corner, I wouldn’t bet against the Argentine as he marches inexorably to peak form.
I expect this match to be tight for the first couple of sets as Ferrer’s fighting spirit and pride will not allow him to get steamrolled. This time, he took advantage of Raonic’s struggles. The US Open victor in 2009, Del Potro has struggled in recent years but has been on a mighty resurgence, playing some of the best tennis of his career.
“It’s tough to play your best tennis against a guy as good as Juan”, Johnson explained. Now a solid top 10 player, the Austrian is beginning to live up to his promise on a more consistent basis. David Ferrer might easily give a statement to support this fact. “He does a lot of things well on the court”. His backhand crosscourt, in particular, is a marvel as he can find the most acute angles off of that swing.
During this trying first set Del Potro, in his inimitable manner, castigated himself for his shortcomings – gently banging on the net with his racquet after he failed to secure a net-cord victor, looking skyward frequently and, most amusingly, kissing a ball after he made an error and then giving it a sort of blessing, which greatly endeared the always popular Argentine giant to the NY spectators. Carreno Busta is coming off a title run in Winston-Salem and is brimming with confidence. “He played great; served great….” The Spaniard needs to place the ball well and also come up to the net to end points. “You make me happy every day”. And I think I’m doing well now. No. 11 Carla Suarez Navarro, No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Ana Konjuh, and No. 10 Karolina Pliskova against the victor of Saturday night’s match between Williams’s older sister Venus and No. 26 Laura Siegemund. Venus will be up against her first seeded opponent of the tournament, No. 26 Laura Siegemund.
Venus will take on Kateryna Kozlova of Ukraine in the afternoon Tuesday before her top-ranked sister plays Ekaterina Makarova of Russian Federation in the night match at the stadium with the new retractable roof. At 28 years old, Siegemund should be considered a veteran of the tour.
Appearing in a day match for the first time at this year’s tournament, Williams wore a new white outfit that made a fashion statement with bold, pink sleeves. A new comer to this level of tennis, she will have her hands full against one of the best players ever.
So about that inflamed right shoulder that was supposed to hinder Serena Williams at the U.S. Open as she seeks a record 23rd major title: It sure seems to be just fine. Now he’s changing his game because is playing more aggressive with his forehand and with the serve.
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Williams reached 121 miles per hour on a serve.
