Del Potro beats Pella to set up Miami showdown with Federer

It will be Roger Federer vs. Juan Martin Del Potro in the Miami Open second round on Friday afternoon.

Del Potro assured that the highly-anticipated battle would come to fruition when he too care of fellow Argentine Guido Pella 6-0, 7-6(3) on the opening day of main-draw action on Wednesday night. The former world No. 4 held all nine of his service games to prevail after one hour and 29 minutes.

Playing in his third tournament of 2016, Del Potro got off to a ruthless start at the expense of his countryman. Pella had been in outstanding form following a February swing that included a runner-up performance in Rio de Janeiro, but he had no answer for Del Potro in the first set. The world No. 39 won only 14 points in the opener and failed to convert any of his two break chances.

Pella managed to make the second set competitive even though he became even more hopeless against his opponent’s serve. Del Potro dropped a mere seven points in his last six service games but was pushed to a tiebreaker soon after missing a match-point opportunity with Pella serving at 4-5. Pella got a mini-break back late in the ‘breaker with a net-cord winner, but Del Potro won two straight return points at 5-4 and 6-4 to seal the deal.

“I made it through and I’m so, so happy for the chance to play against Roger after tomorrow,” Del Potro told the crowd.

Due to the world No. 366’s recent inactivity related to multiple left-wrist surgeries, Federer and Del Potro have not faced each other since the 2013 World Tour Finals. Before Del Potro started succumbing to physical problems, this rivalry was shaping up to be one of tennis’ best even though Federer has a comfortable 15-5 lead in the head-to-head series. The two veterans have engaged in several memorable encounters, including in the 2009 U.S. Open final (won by Del Potro) and in the semis of the 2012 London Olympics (won by Federer).

Del Potro wins:

Photos courtesy of Miami Tennis News

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