Rafa Comes Back, Defeats Del Potro to Win BNP Paribas Open!

Written by: Staff on 17th March 2013

Rafa Comes Back, Defeats Del Potro to Win BNP Paribas Open!

epa03629925 Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament men's final match victory over Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in Indian Wells, California, USA, 17 March 2013. Nadal defeated to win the match and the tournament. EPA/PAUL BUCK |

Indian Wells, Calif. – Rafael Nadal completes an astounding comeback, including wins this week over Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych, by defeating Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open. Coming back from a set and a break down, Nadal raised his level of play and brought back an intensity to the court that the world had not seen in the last 7 months since he was sidelined with injury. Ladies and gentlemen, Rafael Nadal is back and exuberant as ever!

He started the match quickly, jumping out to a 3-0 lead over del Potro. The lumbering Argentine seemed sluggish and struggled to keep up with Rafa’s speed. But growing more accustomed to the conditions, del Potro’s game began to materialize as he held from 15-40 down, broke serve, then held to even the match at 3-all. From there, del Potro played lights out tennis, barely committing an error while Rafa admittedly over-played.

The nerves were evident in Nadal when del Potro took the first set with a dazzling set point at the net. Nadal was quickly broken to start the second set as his forehand seemed to momentarily leave him. It was very uncharacteristic, even for Rafa, who’s body language and shrugs reminded us of the man that’s been away from the game for 8 months.

As the two continued to battle, it was a strange cloud cover at 2-3 on del Potro’s serve that gave Rafa some respite to mount an astounding comeback. Breaking back, del Potro’s energy dipped and all of a sudden Rafa’s forehand gained that extra speed and spin that makes it so deadly. He punished del Potro with side to side rallies and managed to play more aggressive forehands deep in the court. Time and again, Rafa’s forehand found its mark, ending points with clean winners as del Potro found himself farther and farther out of touch with the point and the baseline.

Rafa was rolling and took his momentum into the third set. An absolutely titanic game ensued on del Potro’s serve to begin the set, Rafa was sliding and scrambling over every inch of the court. Del Potro pounded some incredible forehands at big moments and finally came through a very long game filled with multiple break and game point opportunities. The extent of the game must have had its effect because at 1-all, Rafa’s speed and footwork left the Argentine flat footed as more of his left-handed sidewinder forehands spun in for winners.

The clock on the match ticked past the two hour mark and both crowd favorites provided the kind of 3-set drama the entire stadium wanted. Rafa’s face burned with desire and enthusiasm to battle, del Potro’s massive forehand and fist pumps kept him in the match. Unfortunately there had to be a winner and after squandering 3 match points in a row on del Potro’s serve at 5-3, Rafa inevitably served out the match at 5-4, collapsing on his back and shaking with a release of all his built up match tension.

Rafa completed his comeback to win his 600th career ATP tour match and 22nd overall Masters 1000 title. Unfortunately, Rafa will not be competing in next week’s Miami event for reasons not disclosed. You will be able to see Rafa again at the Monte Carlo Masters during the upcoming ATP clay court season!

Topics: ATP tennis news, BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells Tennis News, Juan Martin Del Potro, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis News, Thomas Shubert, Tomas Berdych