Del Potro, Tsonga still in contention for back-to-back titles, London berths

All they do is win.

Juan Martin Del Potro and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are one victory away apiece from titles in consecutive weeks after they prevailed in respective semifinal matches in Basel and Vienna on Saturday. Del Potro got the best of Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-4 at the Swiss Indoors Basel, while Tsonga held off Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6(4), 7-5 at the Erste Bank Open.

A champion last Sunday in Stockholm, Del Potro benefited from a terrible serving performance by Cilic, who put in only 42 percent of his first serves and double-faulted six times. That led to a total of four breaks for the 19th-ranked Argentine, who advanced after one hour and 37 minutes.

Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dSo_6CDp54

“I played a good match,” Del Potro assessed. “Always to beat Cilic you must play at a high level. I’m happy that I did well and reached another final here in Basel.”

Next up for Del Potro is Roger Federer, who coasted past David Goffin 6-1, 6-2 in exactly one hour.

“I think I will be in good shape for tomorrow,” the No. 4 seed added. “I’m so excited to play the final. For me it’s going to be a great challenge and also a great pleasure to play against Roger again in his hometown. It will be a great atmosphere, and I will enjoy it a lot.”

It will be an all-French title match in Vienna, as Lucas Pouille joined Tsonga in the winner’s circle by overcoming Kyle Edmund in three sets. Both Pouille and Tsonga may be in line to be selected for France’s upcoming Davis Cup final against Belgium, but Tsonga should also have the World Tour Finals on his mind. The recent Stockholm champion could climb as high as No. 9 in the race (among active players) if he triumphs on Sunday. Del Potro, meanwhile, will move into the all-important eighth spot if he upsets Federer.

Tsonga fired 19 aces past Kohlschreiber while getting the job done in one hour and 47 minutes.

Vienna highlights:

[polldaddy poll=9862407]
[polldaddy poll=9862408]