French Open 2011: Serb Djokovic Takes This 2-Day Match over Argentine Del Potro

With the blockbuster matchup between the Argentinean Juan Martin Del Potro and Serbian Novak Djokovic, the crowd, fans and watchers were assured of some great shot making.

Not to be disappointed, the Argentineans only concern was his year layoff with wrist surgery and healing, and how that translated to this second-round match.

With the No. 2 and No. 26 player in the world, Djokovic showed poise as did Del Potro. Gracing the courts at the French were these two modern day Champions.

Winning the Australian Open and the U.S. Open, Djokovic and Del Potro shone through on this crisp and clear day in Paris’ Central Northern France locale.

Gracing the courts of Roland Garros, on Suzanne Lenglen (pronounced long-lon) , the two couldn’t wait to step onto the burnt umber clay for another go.

Djokovic served six aces to five for Del Potro, and with one less double fault.

Standing five to seven feet behind the baseline and sometimes more, Del Potro varied his location in the backcourt. In the ad court he was even farther behind baseline to receive serve.

In the first game of the tilt, Djokovic served to Del Potro. Del Potro used a slingshot in his range which turned the game on its head 0-30 Del Potro.

Eventually Djokovic brought the game even, and scoring a victory in game one. Quite simply, Del Potro used his dominating game to anticipate the ball off the ground from the Serbian.

Del Potro hit 46 unforced errors to 38 for Djokovic. Djokovic’s winning percentage on second serves was sixty four percent to forty five for Del Potro.

In game two, Juan Martin strode out to a 40-30 lead. Despite his hitting to the short court, with griping topspin or flat ground strokes, the game was his to take.

In Game 2, the two exchanged long rallies, the most which was a twenty three pointer. Djokovic took his 1 break chance, as Del Potro drew a short reply and put it away.

In Game 3 at 40-0 Djokovic serving, the Serbian hits a drop volley and Del Potro motored in for a return winner. On to the next point, Djokovic took the game on a nasty backhand up the line.

In Game 4, we may notice some lingering injury effects for the Del Potro. With a double fault, it could mean the wrist is still healing based on the snap of the wrist at the top of a serve.

There could be a multitude of reasons for this. Whether it’s a concentration issue, some minor distraction – or quite possibly anything, the situation is different for everyone.

As we move into the fourth game, let us keep in mind that Djokovic anticipates a shot as well as anyone. As we see in this game, he anticipates the volley nicely and puts the ball away.

Djokovic hit forty one winners to Del Potro’s twenty two.

Further down the line, Djokovic takes a 0-40 advantage on Del Potro’s serve with triple break point. Leads change very quickly and in the blink of an eye Djokovic breaks serve.

In Game 5, Djokovic serving, he reaches a 15 all score. For 30-15, Djokovic gets to a drop volley from Del Potro and thumps it up the line for a winner. Game score 4-1.

In Game 6, both collect a point for 15 all. 6’6” Del Potro takes a high return and crushes the ball down the line. Del Potro serves an ace, and holds serve for a 4-0 Djokovic lead.

In Game 7, Djokovic serves, draws a short ball, comes in and hits an inside out forehand for the point.

With the score 5-2 for Djokovic, game 8 brings a little desperation on Del Potro’s part. He hits the ball a little long, and ends up hitting a couple of second serves.

In receiving points, Djokovic’s forty-three percent to twenty eight percent for Del Potro tells a story statistically.

De Potro goes to his favorite shot, the inside out forehand from the ad side, but pretty soon Djokovic has got another break point. He converts and the set is now on his racket.

Game nine brings us Djokovic, who serves out wide, and on midcourt balls, approaches them for winners. Djokovic hits an ace and a kick serve which Del Potro cannot handle.

Sooner than later, Djokovic takes the first set 6-3.

The Serb had one hundred and eighteen points won to ninety one for Del Potro.

In Game 1 of Set 2, Del Potro immediately forces a reply which Djokovic hits wide.  With his 6’6” frame, Del Potro continues to hit on the rise and crush balls from high above.

It’s of interest to know that Delpo has 5 winners to 12 for Djokovic. The Argentinean’s retorts have been long and some just deep and yet others within the baseline.

Del Potro takes a 40 love lead, stretches it and wins the game 1. Djokovic next gathers a 40-0 lead, on his serve and takes the second game in this best of five set match up.

Djokovic seals off the game with a wicked backhand down the line, one of his best shots this day.

During game three, Del Potro serving, he hops on those apex eclipsing balls and gets them on the rise and places them very flatly and richly for winners.

Del Potro takes the game for a 2-1 lead on serve. During the fourth game of the second set, an hour has past since the start of the match.

From the Djokovic serve, he drops his first attempt, as Del Potro gets the break in the second set 3-1. During the fifth game we obtain information on a statistical plane.

In Game 5 Djokovic has hit 9 backhand winners to none for Del Potro.

With Del Potro serving, were at deuce. He hits one deep for advantage, and concludes the game drawing Del Potro in for a forehand passing shot. Game score 4-1 in favor of Del Potro.

With Game 6 under way and at thirty love, Djokovic tries a drop volley and hits it a little short. Djokovic took the next point and holds it for a set score of 4-2 in favor of Del Potro.

With Game 7 underway, Del Potro aces his first out wide. The pitches and inconsistencies at this level prove that both of these players are just human.

Del Potro hits a second serve, while Djokovic draws even at 15. Del Potro follows his shot into the net, but it falls short and now we are at 30-15 Djokovic.

Del Potro ramps it up with a forehand winner. He is up 40-30 on serve, as Djokovic hits an overhead from the baseline short. Game score 5-2.

In game 8, Djokovic hits a first serve into the net and we have it at 15 all. We draw up to 40-30, Djokovic. On a second serve, Djokovic takes the point for the game.

At Game 9, Djokovic drops a serve return into the net. We come to a second serve for Del Potro as Djokovic approaches the net drawing a short ball, and puts the ball away 30-15.

Del Potro hits wide and we have a double breaker for Djokovic. Del Potro aces Djokovic twice bringing the game back to deuce. From 15-40, Del Potro has been brought back to deuce.

Djokovic hits his long and Del Potro has the advantage. Del Potro wins the following point and we are at one set apiece. Djokovic with 6-3 and Delpotro with 6-3.

Following the match the next day in the afternoon, after being called for darkness on Friday, was a steamroll effort by Djokovic.

With Del Potro getting back to his first Grand Slam after a year off healing his wrist was filled with anticipation by the Argentinean fans.

On the final day of the contest, the players may have been slightly unnerved, perhaps one more than the other. Djokovic fell back at 2-2 and 15-40 double breaker down, but found great solace in coming back and winning that game.

Del Potro leaned on the inside out forehand which has been used liberally this fortnight by several players (ie. Nadal, Djokovic) as Djokovic broke at 2-2 to gain a service game.

As described by the Roland Garros website, with a slight change in intensity, the Serbian stepped forward to make this third set his.

Culminating his 40^th win streak, Djokovic concluded the match with intensity. Like the pride of a lion, Djokovic moves on to his next challenger. Final Score 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.