Novak Djokovic saves two match points to win slugfest against Juan Martin del Potro

Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro produced a high-quality Italian Open quarter-final clash with the world No 1 coming out on top of their three-hour contest.
Serb Djokovic saved two match points en route to claiming a 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 win over the Argentine at Foro Italico.
No Denying Novak! 🙌
4-time Rome champion @DjokerNole saves 2 MPs and edges Juan Martin del Potro 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4 to reach #ibi19 semi-final. pic.twitter.com/UpzObBrQE9
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 17, 2019
Del Potro broke in game seven of the opening set and then served it out and, after the pair traded breaks midway through the second set, it went to the tie-breaker.
The Argentine found himself 6-4 up and twice served for the match, but Djokovic refused to fold and won the remaining four points to level the match.
The 15-time Grand Slam winner then claimed the decisive break in game five of the third set before serving it out.
He will face Diego Schwartzman for a place in the final after the Argentine beat sixth seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-2 to reach his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final.
Masterful Diego 💪@dieschwartzman reaches his FIRST career Masters 1000 semi-final with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Kei Nishikori at #ibi19 pic.twitter.com/DEocrhhQoM
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 17, 2019
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
FEATURE: Meet Roy Erskine, Andy Murray’s grandfather and former professional footballer
-
T365 Recall: When Andy Murray cemented his legacy during brilliant 2016 season
-
EXCLUSIVE: Annabel Croft on the ‘identity crisis’ facing the women’s game
-
-
Italian Open: Facts and figures about the ATP and WTA tournament
-
Latest
-
News
Ronnie O’Sullivan compared to Roger Federer but snooker legend admires another tennis legend
O’Sullivan is a big tennis fan, but his favourite player is one of Roger Federer’s great rivals.
-
Tennis News
More big names confirmed for final big tennis event of the year as attendance boom continues
Keith Prowse are offering you a chance to play on court with the big name stars compete at the UTS Grand Final in London.
-
Tennis News
Former British No 1 predicts who could topple Novak Djokovic and highlights a rising British youngster
Djokovic remains the undisputed king of tennis, but a new rival could topple him.
-
News
Andy Murray’s £21m business empire – five of his key successes as Scot adds to social media portfolio
Murray is already prominent on Instagram and Twitter and now the Scot has confirmed his arrival on the business network LinkedIn.
-
Tennis News
Jannik Sinner described as a ‘shark’ as key to his matchup with Novak Djokovic is revealed
Jannik Sinner has been labelled a “shark”, while the key to his matchup with Novak Djokovic has been explained.
-
Tennis News
Taylor Fritz addresses ‘cocky’ allegations labelled against Holger Rune
“I like Holger,” says Taylor Fritz.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz sends message to Novak Djokovic as he addresses Golden Slam prospect
Carlos Alcaraz has sent a warning to Novak Djokovic as he addressed the ‘Golden Slam’ talk.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz reveals his biggest career goal and explains how he must improve in 2024
Carlos Alcaraz has divulged a goal that is “the biggest thing right now”
-
WTA Tour
Jessica Pegula laments gender pay gap and highlights how women’s tennis can improve
“The pay gap is still very big,” says Jessica Pegula.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic hailed as the ‘most complete player’ who has ‘evolved at a level yet to be reached’
A former world No 5 has lauded Novak Djokovic’s completeness and the way he has evolved.