Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina celebrates a point in the final game against Kevin Anderson of South Africa during the Citi Open. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON:
Argentine top-seed Juan Martin Del Potro booked a semi-final matchup against Germany’s Tommy Haas with a straight-set victory on Friday over Kevin Anderson at the ATP and WTA Washington Open.
Seventh-ranked Del Potro beat the South African seventh seed 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 while third seed Haas ousted Bulgarian 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3).
“It’s a good opportunity to reach another final but I have to beat a very good player,” said Del Potro. “Haas is playing good this season and he has got a lot of experience.”
Del Potro has won all four prior ATP matches against Haas without losing a set, including a 2008 Washington semi-final and most recently in the round of 16 this year at Indian Wells.
“Del Potro is one opponent I despise playing in many ways,” said Haas. “He has given me a lot of trouble. And he has been playing terrific tennis.”
Meanwhile, US eighth seed John Isner will face Russia’s Dmitry Tursunov in the other men’s semi-final.
Isner fired 18 aces to defeat Cyprus’ Marcos Baghdatis 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4 while Tursunov outlasted Australia’s Marinko Matosevic 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4).
“I was pretty confident even though I lost the first set,” said Isner. “I know I’m not going to win every tie-breaker. I was in a good rhythm and serving well.”
In the women’s event, top seed Angelique Kerber of Germany was ousted by defending champion Magdalena Rybarikova 7-6 (7-0), 3-6, 6-3.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2013.
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