Match report

Juan Martin Del Potro © Tennistalk.com
AIG Japan Open
Final
10/5/08 1 2 Tot
ar  Juan Martin Del Potro 1 4 0
cz  Tomas Berdych 6 6 2
Tomas Berdych © Tennistalk.com

  • Ailing Del Potro falls to Berdych

    10/5/08 11:18 PM | Cheryl Murray
    In a match expected to be a tight, hard-hitting affair, the crowd was instead treated to a surprise winner.

    Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina was clearly expected to win the Tokyo final against the Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych. Del Potro has won four tournaments since July and advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open. Berdych has not won a single title all year. He has, in fact, struggled for much of the season. He has not struggled during this week, though. En route to the final, he defeated a series of seeds, starting with Spain’s Tommy Robredo and he continued on through Fernando Gonzalez of Chile and American Andy Roddick.

    The final would perhaps have been more competitive, but Del Potro had a stomach condition that had the Argentine making frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the match. Del Potro looked completely lost in the first set. In addition to his own ailment, he had to deal with a Berdych who was playing outstanding tennis. Del Potro was broken twice, while Berdych lost just four points on serve for the entire set.

    Del Potro picked up his game in the second set. Each man had numerous opportunities to break. Nobody converted until Berdych broke Del Potro in the waning moments of the match.

    After the match, Del Potro said, “It was very tough for me. He played unbelievably today, I didn't have chance to do anything. I didn't feel well during the match but I think it was more to do with how well he played. But I had a great tournament anyway, so I'm sad because I lost today but I have to be happy for the week.”

  • Thumbs up

    Tomas Berdych's resurgence after a somewhat disappointing year was impressive.

  • Thumbs down

    Del Potro's illness clearly affected the match.

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