Juan Martin del Potro trounced John Isner in the Washington Open final on Sunday proving that he deserves to be among the favorites to win the US Open.
The 24-year-old top seed Argentine emerged from a slow start to squash the US eighth seed by 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 for his third title in 6 years at the $1.76 million ATP and WTA hardcourt event-a tuneup for the year's final Grand Slam title commencing in New York in three weeks.
del Potro insisted that he would have to be favorite. He is playing well. He added that in order to win tournaments and bang these guys, one has to be fit and in good condition. But he has a few more guys playing better than him and they have been favorites forever.
According to del Potro, World number one Novak Djokovic, five-time US Open winner Roger Federer, defending champion Andy Murray and 2010 US Open champion Rafael Nadal are the players whom he desires to defeat at Flushing Meadows.
Isner remarked about del Potro that he would place him the smallest hair behind Djokovic and Murray. He added that it would just be those guys right now. Notably, he would be third favorite.
del Potro displayed that his left knee was fine following an injury at Wimbledon in his first event since his epic five-set loss to Djokovic in the longest semi-final in Wimbledon history. He expressed that honestly, he is astounded to win this tournament following a month without competition. He added that to win his first tournament on hardcourt, it implies a lot. In fact, it gives him confidence to continue and get closer to the apex guys.
Actually, Del Potro extended his Washington win streak to 14 matches by multiplying to the titles he won in the US capital in 2008 as well as 2009. After winning in Washington, he marched ahead to win the US Open, which is the only Grand Slam title since the 2005 Australian Open. This title was neither seized by Federer or Nadal nor Djokovic or Murray.
del Potro expressed that he was glad to win again here and felt unbelievable. Remarkably, seventh-ranked del Potro won his 15th career ATP title, which is his second of the year after Rotterdam in February. He improved to 4-0 all-time against Isner-the ATP season aces leader, despite unable to sleep until 3 am following a rain-interrupted semi-final.
del Potro commented that it was a bit frustrating for him to finish so late last night. He began really low in the match. He described that he went almost out of the court to take the ball, but he began to return well in the second set. He truly found a quick break in the second set which assisted to keep him fighting and ultimately during the third set, he played his best tennis of the tournament. In fact, he hit some unbelievable forehands. He played really well from the baseline.
The 20th ranked Isner missed out on his third crown of the year following title runs last week in Atlanta and in April at Houston. He disclosed that he was worn out there. He has played a lot and it did ultimately take its toll on him. But even if he was fresh, he doesn’t know if he could have taken that match. Truly, he was too good.
Del Potro weakened Isner in the fourth and sixth games of the second set, in each hauling an Isner overhead smash. At last, Isner netted a forehand to surrender a break in the seventh game of the third set while del Potro saved three break points in the final game before grabbing the title after 89 minutes on a backhand cross-court winner.
