Wimbledon 2013 Photos

Novak Djokovic beats Del Potro in longest ever Wimbledon semi-final

July 06, 2013 00:35

Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 on Friday in the longest Wimbledon semi-final in history to move into his 11th Grand Slam title match.

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Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 on Friday in the longest Wimbledon semi-final in history to move into his 11th Grand Slam title match. (All AFP images and text)
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In a titanic struggle played out over four hours and 43 minutes, world number one Djokovic squandered two match points in the fourth set tiebreak before going on to seal a final clash.
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The top-seeded Serb, bidding for a seventh Grand Slam crown, fired 22 aces and 80 winners against the luckless Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion.
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"It was one of the best matches I've been part of, certainly one of the most exciting. It was so close and nothing could separate us," said Djokovic.
"But that's why he is a Grand Slam champion, every time he was in a tough situation he comes up with unbelievable shots.
"I was ready to go five sets. I was able to stay tough and get through in the end."
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Del Potro said he had played his best match on a grass court.
"I was so close. I played really good tennis for four and a half hours but he hits the ball so hard. I am sad because I lost," said Del Potro.
"It was just a couple of points, it was my best tennis on grass but against the world number one it's not enough."
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Del Potro, who had defeated the Serb for the Olympic bronze medal at Wimbledon last year, matched Djokovic blow for blow in the first set but had to bat back a break point in the sixth game to stay on level terms.
At 6-5, Djokovic stepped it up, a backhand from off his toes landing in the corner before a backhand off-balance from the Argentine sailed long.
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Del Potro called for the doctor after slipping down 3-2 in the second set, but the consultation didn't remedy his problems against the top seed as he immediately had to fend off four break points.
Del Potro just about backed it up for 5-3 before he went on to level the tie, a picture-perfect drop shot followed by an unreturned serve. It was the first set that the Serb had dropped in the tournament.
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Djokovic fought off a break point in the fifth game of the third set and two more in the seventh before the Argentine had to save three set points in the 12th, the last courtesy of a 90mph winner.

Djokovic cruised through the tiebreak with Del Potro's confidence and challenge shattered in an instant when the 6ft 6in (1.98m) giant netted an easy smash on the sixth point.
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Del Potro was beginning to wilt in the 26-degree heat and Djokovic took advantage, breaking for 4-3 as another fierce return landed on the Argentine's toes.
However, Del Potro brought the crowd to their feet by breaking back for 4-4 and saving two match points in the breaker, the first at the end of a punishing 24-stroke exchange.
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In the decider, Djokovic fought off a break point in the fifth game before Del Potro saved one in the sixth.
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The Argentine cracked to trail 3-5, Djokovic saved another break point as he served for the match in the ninth game before he claimed his epic win with a huge forehand.

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