Seventh-ranked Juan Martin del Potro rallied from first set deficit to outlast top-ranked Novak Djokovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 at the BNP Paribas Open 2013 semifinals on Saturday. The loss at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden ended Djokovic’s 22-match win streak.
“I was doing a very good match until the third set, but Novak had the chance to beat me when I was down 3-Love,” said del Potro. “But I came back soon and that gave me a little confidence to come back in that set. Then also the crowd wanted to watch more tennis and [it] helped me to play my best tennis in the end. I think it was my best match in this tournament, for sure.”
The road to the final was not easy for the Argentine especially his past two matches. He defeated Andy Murray in the quarterfinals and Djokovic in the final four. The Argentine tennis star, winner of US Open 2009, is aiming for a second title this season. He won an ATP500 tournament in Rotterdam this year.
“I am playing well. The results show my level,” Del Potro said. “Of course I feel [there are] some things to improve in my game like using slices. Also ,I would like to come to the net more often. But I’m working on that. Every tournament [there] is a chance to do it. I think I’m doing well here in Indian Wells.”
Djokovic has good words for his opponent despite the defeat.
“All the credit to my opponent today,” said Djokovic. “He deserved to win because he was more composed in the important moments and he played the right shots. He stepped into the court, where, on the other side, I made a lot of unforced errors and was at the back of the court [and was] too passive.”
Djokovic’s last defeat was in the second round of the Paris Masters 2012. Since then, the Serbian went on a 22-match win streak which included winning the year-end Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Australian Open and Dubai Tennis Championships.
