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Del Potro beats Federer to slide into ATP semifinals

Thu 26th, November 2009

London, England (Sports Network) - Argentine Juan Martin del Potro outlasted Roger Federer 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3 on Thursday to secure a spot in the semifinals of the ATP World Tour Finals and eliminate Scot Andy Murray from the tournament.

The victory by del Potro created a three-way tie in Group A after all three players finished round-robin play with two wins and identical 5-4 set records.

However, Federer and del Potro advanced because Murray won the lowest percentage of games.

"Obviously the focus was completely on my own qualification," said Federer. "I knew I wasn't looking very good at 6-2, 4-4 let's say. Still trying to find my game and everything. It reminded me a lot like the first couple matches I played in the round robin. I just started slow. Never really found my game. Also had a tough start to the breaker. Just tried to hang in there. He served a great serve at 5-4, then missed that forehand. I knew I couldn't lose in two sets because I knew that was going to knock me out. That's why I was very excited having won the second set."

Murray wasted 12-of-13 break points before finally beating Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3) earlier Thursday.

The night session featured a rematch of this year's dramatic US Open final, which del Potro won in five sets.

"I played good tennis today, similar than New York, a little better in some moments of the match," said del Potro. "I served good in important moments. I took my opportunities. That's what I have to do against the best player in the world: take the opportunities and try to play the best tennis."