Roger loses in three sets

A first defeat in this tournament for our Roger since 2009 – and to del Potro 6-7, 6-4, 3-6. He was decidedly not his usual chirpy self and was not really given time to settle into this match by a lively del Potro.

Defeat for our Roger is no disaster for the world number two as he will still qualify as group winner and meet Andy Murray in Sunday’s first semi final if, as expected, Ferrer beats an out of sorts Tipsarevic. Victory for Del Potro means that he becomes the first man for a decade to win back to back indoor matches against the Champ and he will almost certainly meet Novak Djokovic in the semi final with David Ferrer favourite to beat Janko Tipsarevic.

Roger had his chances in the opening set, squandering three break points in the eighth game for what could have been a decisive break. But the big Argentine dug deep to hang on, aided by some uncharacteristic unforced errors from Roger. The set went to the tie break and it was Del Potro who got off to a flier, racing to a 5-1 lead with some heavy hitting before eventually closing it out 7-3.

Undeterred by losing the opening set, Roger came out all guns blazing and secured an immediate break of serve to love, following it up with a love hold. The serve dominated for the rest of the set with no more break chances materialising and our Champ served out to level matters at a set apiece.

With the momentum on Roger’s side it seemed likely that he would press onwards to victory but it was Del Potro who was the more aggressive, perhaps as more was at stake in the match. The Argentine broke at the first time of asking and the break proved decisive as the world number two never threatened the Del Potro serve, Roger looking strangely out of sorts shouting and muttering to himself as unforced errors continued to flow from his racket.

The qualification scenarios would have been simplified had Roger built on an impressive second set against Del Potro. Our Champ has won the title the last two years with a perfect record but knew he was already through after straight-sets wins in his first two group matches.

The semi-final match-ups will not be decided until after tonight's match between David Ferrer and Janko Tipsarevic, even though it is now a dead rubber. Victory for Ferrer would mean it is Roger who plays Andy Murray with Del Potro playing Novak Djokovic, while a Tipsarevic win would reverse the fixtures. Roger had won 13 of his previous 16 meetings and six of seven this year with Del Potro, but the Argentinian is a player who has given him plenty of trouble.

Date: 10th November 2012, Source: RF Official