Four time Australian Open champion Roger Federer faces 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro in what is sure to be a competitive quarter-final. Join us for live scores and blog later this afternoon.
After a relatively straight forward passage to the quarter-finals, Federer could have his hands full against Del Potro – the man who managed to defeat the Swiss maestro in the 2009 US Open final.
Federer however remains the firm favourite for this match, given that the world No.3 plays an opponent that is only just beginning to regain the form that won him his first Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
With seemingly the world at his feet, disaster struck for Del Potro early in 2010, as the Argentine succumbed to a wrist injury that forced him to miss the majority of the season.
Since making his return from injury in November 2010, Del Potro has steadily risen up the rankings and now finds himself on the verge of once again cracking the top ten on the ATP tour.
At his best, Del Potro certainly possesses the game and temperament to beat Federer. The question however remains whether or not the Argentine is once again ready to play at the level that saw him reach a career high ranking of world No.4 two years ago.
Unlike Del Potro, Federer has remained injury free for many years and approaches this Australian Open quarter-final with form on the board.
Federer is currently on a 20 match winning streak, with his last defeat coming at the 2011 US Open semi-finals where he lost an epic five setter to Novak Djokovic.
Judging from Federer’s fourth round win over Bernard Tomic, the Swiss Maestro is now starting to showcase the form that continues to make him such a staple for the latter stages of all the Grand Slams.
Prediction:
Like in the 2009 US Open final, Del Potro will look to bully Federer from the baseline with his aggressive hitting, particularly off the forehand side where he can do so much damage.
When on song, Del Potro’s forehand is probably the most powerful shot on the ATP tour, and the Argentine will be looking to unleash it whenever Federer offers anything short.
Likewise, Federer will also look to his forehand to cause Del Potro problems.
While Del Potro’s forehand is all about power, Federer’s forehand is all about precision, so expect the Swiss maestro to move Del Potro around the court with some accurate hitting near the baseline.
Given that Del Potro is a tall man, Federer will most likely use the dropshot as well to expose the Argentine’s lack of movement when approaching the net.
Across the board, it seems that Federer still possesses the complete game to defeat Del Potro, who is still rediscovering the form that him earmarked as a future world No.1
While Del Potro should provide the Swiss maestro with some nervous moments, a victory against Federer may still be beyond him at this stage of the season.
Federer to win.
Alan
Roar Guru
VS Manian - I don't think that Federer would have called him a future No.1 for nothing. Del Potro was building to that US Open victory in 2009 with some terrific form. He played very well at the French Open in 2009 and could have beaten Federer and won in Roland Garros. He also beat Nadal three times in a row that year in big tournaments and he also made the final of the ATP World Tour finals where he beat Federer again during the round robin stage. Even last year at Wimbledon (where grass is supposedly his weakest surface), he still managed to go toe to toe with Nadal in a tight four setter which lasted four hours. I think by the start of the French Open this year, we shall see Del Potro at his best, and at his best, I think he ranks comfortably in the top five players in the world.
V S Manian
Guest
I simply do not understand why the potential of Juan Martin Del Potro is being projected too much!!!! Apart from the shocking win at US Open 2010, we have never seen him in any big matches. Just with a solitary major win, can a player become a super hero, to the extent of being projected as a threat to a player, who is considered as an All Time Great, even by competitors of past & present?? I do not say that DelPo is not a good player. He may have a good future, along with Djokovic, Tomic, Andy Murray and the likes, who are of his age group. However, he is not a player to be bracketed among the current top 4 yet.
Lou
Guest
What a masterclass performance by Federer today...Vintage Federer! Life will not be the same once Roger Federer says adieu to the game! Is it just us or everyone else also thinks the same?A must read for die hard Federer fans who grew up watching tennis in 90's: Roger Federer- The Last Link To The 90's? http://bit.ly/sPzObf
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro had his chances to make a mark against Federer in the first and second set. But Federer is just too classy and Del Potro still needs some match play against the top four to truly rediscover that US Open 2009 form. Federer however played his best match of the tournament and was outstanding from the backhand and forehand side. A potential semi-final against Nadal now awaits. Final score here: Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH FEDERER - Federer produces a trademark backhand winner and he has defeated Del Potro in straight sets. Final score: Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
0-15 Del Potro Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK - Del Potro is broken as he hits the net with the forehand. Federer just far too good here. He will serve for the match. Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Trademark crosscourt federer forehand winner and its deuce
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro forehand just catches the line and its 30-30. Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault from Del Potro and its 15-15 Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Del Potro hits the net with the forehand and Federer holds. Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
30-15 Federer
Alan
Roar Guru
Great serve and forehand combination from Federer and its 15-0 Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
40-0 as Federer sends a backhand long. Del Potro then produces an ace and he holds. Del Potro 4 3 2 Federer 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
15-0 Del Potro Del Potro 4 3 1 Federer 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Unforced forehand error from Del potro and its 40-0. Federer then holds and its 3-1, third set. Del Potro 4 3 1 Federer 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Strong Federer first serve and its 15-0 Federer Del Potro 4 3 1 Federer 6 6 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Good serve and forehand combination from Del Potro and he holds. Del Potro 4 3 1 Federer 6 6 2
Stefmeister
Guest
Thank you kindly for the update, Alan!. It can be so difficult to find live scores :)
Alan
Roar Guru
Good first serve from Del Potro and its 30-30