Juan
Martin Del Potro 6-4, 5-7, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-4 Andy Murray (Davis Cup Semifinal
Rubber 1)
 |
| Both players meet at the net after the match. Photo by AP |
Murray
took the early break in the 1st set, but Del Potro broke back
immediately to bring the match back on serve. Murray was broken for the 2nd
time in the set when Del Potro took the lead for the first time in the set.
With a big serve, Del Potro successfully served out the set 6-4 to take a one
set lead.
The 2nd
set was tighter, with 11 consecutive holds of serve with both players being
very consistent and solid on serve. At 5-6 with Del Potro serving to stay in
the set, Murray produced some excellent returns to break and win the set to
level the match at one set all.
After 4
holds of serve to start the 3rd set with, Del Potro drew first blood
when he broke Murray’s serve to once again take the lead in the match.
Nevertheless, with the home crowd’s loud cheers and support, Murray broke back
immediately to level the match. There was a 3rd consecutive break of
serve when Del Potro managed to force errors out of Murray and capitalise on
his break point opportunities. There was finally a hold of service after Del
Potro held his service game, saving a break point with an ace in the process. Murray
went on a roll since, coming from 3-5 down and win 3 games in a row to lead
6-5, breaking Del Potro’s serve to stay in the set. The set went to a tiebreak,
and Murray managed to maintain his composure by winning the tiebreak after he
almost threw away a 4-1 lead in it.
A really
loose service game from Murray at 1-2 in the fourth set allowed Del Potro to
make the first breakthrough again and take the lead in the set. This time, he
finally did not throw away his lead as the rest of the set went on serve and
therefore, Del Potro managed to serve out the set 6-3 and send the thrilling
match into a deciding set to decide the winner after 4 hours and 7 minutes of
play.
Del Potro
looked on fire today, and he once again broke first in the set at 3-3, after 6
consecutive holds of serve. As he managed to consolidate the break, he was just
1 game away from giving Argentina a 1-0 lead in the rubber. Showing some nerves
of steel, Murray saved match point on his serve and managed to hold his service
game to allow Del Potro to have the chance to serve the match out. A few massive
serves came from Del Potro, and those were too good for Murray and game, set,
match Argentina! Del Potro finally prevails in a 5 hours and 3 minutes match,
and this match was definitely the best match of the year!
Murray
|
Del Potro
|
|
Aces
|
35
|
19
|
DFs
|
3
|
2
|
1st Serve
|
52%
|
72%
|
1st Serve Won
|
81%
|
71%
|
2nd Serve Won
|
48%
|
54%
|
Net Points
|
32/44
|
21/39
|
Break Points
|
4/10 (40%)
|
6/20 (30%)
|
Winners
|
61
|
45
|
Unforced Errors
|
48
|
28
|
Points Won
|
170
|
173
|