Del Potro le quita las esperanzas a Verdasco-Verdasco says Good-bye to London

El argentino Juan Martín Del Potro sumó su primer triunfo en el Masters de tenis de Londres, ante el español Fernando Verdasco, y mantiene sus opciones de avanzar a semifinales del torneo que reúne a los mejores ocho de la temporada.

Dos horas y 24 minutos necesitó Del Potro, quinto del ranking, para definir por 6-4, 3-6 y 7-6 (7/1) su segundo partido en el certamen ante el séptimo clasificado y tras haber desperdiciado dos "match point" con el partido 5-2 y 5-4 a su favor. Del Potro debutó con derrota, también en tres sets, ante el escocés Andy Murray, cuarto en la clasificación y rival en el cierre de la jornada en el Grupo A del suizo Roger Federer, uno del mundo y próximo rival del argentino. La única victoria de Del Potro ante el suizo en siete enfrentamientos se registró este año en la final del US Open, al cabo de cinco sets.

Con el triunfo ante Verdasco, que venía de caer ante Federer en el debut, Del Potro mantuvo sus chances de avanzar a las semifinales del certamen, instancia que no logró alcanzar en su primera participación en un Masters, en Shangai hace un año.

Por el Grupo B, chocarán el serbio Novak Djokovic (3) y el sueco Robin Soderling, quien reemplazó al lesionado Andy Roddick y sorprendió al vencer al español Rafael Nadal (2), que enfrentará al ruso Nikolai Davydenko (6) en duelo de perdedores en la primera jornada.

Juan Martin del Potro boosted his hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena with a nervy 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-1) victory over Fernando Verdasco in this afternoon's Group A clash.

With both players having lost their opening match - Del Potro to Andy Murray and Verdasco to Roger Federer - they knew this contest could make or break their chances.

And, despite failing to serve out the victory, it was the US Open champion who eventually came out on top, meaning Murray can book his place in the last four with victory against Federer this evening.

Verdasco had played superbly for two sets against the world number one on Sunday but it could not have been more different today, the Spaniard amassing 11 unforced errors in the opening five games.

Three of those came in the third game and allowed Del Potro to secure the first break of serve.

The world number five was erratic against Murray but the power generated by his extra height kept Verdasco largely at bay throughout a first set that only really came to life in the 10th game.

With Del Potro serving for a one-set lead, his opponent suddenly found his range and the Argentinian needed two pinpoint aces to save break points before a Verdasco backhand dropped wide on the second set point.

The initial stages of the second set, although of a better quality, were dominated by serve, but it was Del Potro who cracked first, Verdasco taking the first break point of the set.

Verdasco resisted the pressure initially but in the sixth game an inopportune double fault gave his opponent three break points. Two were saved then on the third Del Potro stopped the rally to challenge a shot he thought had gone long.

Verdasco was now on the ropes and he needed a brilliant pass to save a match point at 2-5 - and that would prove crucial moments later when Del Potro tamely surrendered his serve.

The 21-year-old had another match point at 5-4 but again it went begging and a tie-break was needed to separate them. This time Del Potro was not to be denied, though, and he wrapped up victory when Verdasco fired a forlorn forehand well wide.