Juan Martin del Potro is in the semi-finals of the French Open in Paris for the second time since 2009. The world number six from Argentina defeated Marin Cilic from Croatia (No. 3) 7:6 (7:5), 5:7, 6:3, 7:5.
The match between the two hardhitters was interrupted on Wednesday due to rain at the critical score of 5:5 in the tiebreak of the first set. In the continuation del Potro started better: With controlled offensive on serve he got the set ball, with patience and slice he provoked the mistake of Cilic – and cheered himself on strongly. It was well deserved, the day before “Delpo” had already played six break points, but did not use any.
In the second round, Cilic managed the seemingly decisive break to 5:4, but instead of serving out, he gave up his service to zero, but made it better in direct connection – set equalization. The Croatian took his momentum with him and was just before a 3-0 double-break in set three, but del Potro recalled and came back, finally winning the round 6-3.
On the Suzanne Lenglen court, the second largest of the Bois de Boulogne complex, the 2009 US Open winner was repeatedly cheered on by his numerous fans. The decisive break was in the fourth set, when del Potro scored three break points in a row before – and used his second. A little later, after the first match point, he tore up his arms.
In the semi-finals, “Delpo” will now face Rafael Nadal on Friday. In the direct balance of the two it stands 9:5 for the Spaniard, he also won both matches on clay. The only encounter in Roland Garros, 2007 in round one, was secured by Nadal in three sets.