Djokovic eliminates Del Potro to advance to Italian Open semis (Lead)

Rome May 20 (IANS) Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic world no. 2 qualified for the Italian Open semi-final after his victory over Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro here on Saturday.

The four-time Serbian champion defeated his Argentine rival 6-1 6-4 after the game was suspended on Friday due to torrential rain reports Efe.

Djokovic is to play the semi-final later on Saturday against Austrian Dominic Thiem world no. 7 who defeated Spaniard Rafael Nadal on Friday.

On Friday the match was suspended due to heavy rain after Djokovic had grabbed a 6-1 1-2 lead over the Argentine.

Djokovic lost his opening service game to fall down 0-1 but rebounded quickly to win the next six games and take the first set in 44 minutes.

The Serbian s superior backhand was the difference in the opener as he controlled the baseline rallies and struck 15 winners to the unseeded Argentine s six (none from his weaker wing).

Del Potro held serve twice and Djokovic once at the start of the second set before a heavy downpour at the Foro Italico sent the players to the locker room at around 10:45 pm.

Djokovic the dominant player in men s tennis this time last year is looking to get his game on track after a rough start to the 2017 season that included losses prior to the semi-final round at the Australian Open Indian Wells and the Monte Carlo Masters.

--IANS
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