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

Shahida Jacobs 18 May 2019 10:41 AM

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