Juan Martin Del Potro is one win away from clinching a spot in the Nitto ATP Finals after beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-5, 6-3 during first-round action at the China Open on Tuesday. Del Potro fired 10 aces while double-faulting only once as he advanced in one hour and 29 minutes.
Del Potro entered the week with 4,910 points. He added 45 to his total with his victory over Ramos-Vinolas and a defeat of Karen Khachanov on Wednesday would push the Argentine from 4,955 points to 5,000 points. Based on the current race to London, 4,990 is enough for mathematically clinching–as it is impossible for more than eight players to reach that total.
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer have already punched their tickets to the O2 Arena. Del Potro is actually third in the race ahead of Federer, but the Swiss has already locked up his berth because he owns a Grand Slam title (Australian Open).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2WWGJrv8Yg
“I think it’s a good battle between us to qualify for London,” Del Potro commented. “It’s something extra; another extra pressure for us. But it’s a nice pressure, I think. We enjoy that pressure because we are fighting for the same goal. There’s still five spots free. [There] are more than six players fighting for those five spots. It’s interesting to watch, as well. Hopefully I can reach London after many years [away]. It will be great for me. But I know I have to still win couple of matches to be there.”
Beating Khachanov in the second round would be enough. Wednesday in Beijing marks the third career encounter between the two big hitters and also the second this season, with Del Potro leading the head-to-head series 2-0. The 2009 U.S. Open champion prevailed 7-6(4), 6-3 in Auckland and 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-7(0), 6-4 shortly thereafter at the Australian Open.
Khachanov gets another shot at Del Potro thanks to his 6-4, 6-4 victory over Sam Querrey on Monday in Beijing.
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JDP seems very motivated to get to London, as he should be…JDP in 2.
Delpo has qualified for the ATP Final in London.