KRISTEN’S KOURT: Djokovic Decimates Tsonga, Murray Misfires Against Del Potro

Written by: Staff on 16th March 2013

KRISTEN'S KOURT: Djokovic Decimates Tsonga, Murray Misfires Against Del Potro

epa03626440 Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 15 March 2013. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

It only took Novak Djokovic 54 minutes to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and secure a spot in the 2013 BNP Paribas Open semifinals. The match was over almost as quickly as it began and the Serbian found himself in familiar territory as he seeks to claim his third title in five years here at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. He didn’t do anything special and he didn’t play brilliantly. But there was something off about the Frenchman from the beginning, and Djokovic was easily able to capitalize on the shortcomings.

“I thought I did well. I was in the balance. I returned well when I needed to. He made a lot of unforced errors, which obviously helped me to get in front,” said Djokovic. “I didn’t allow him to come back to the match. I didn’t allow him to have an opportunity to believe that he can maybe have a break and get back into the match. So that was very important for me to stay mentally, you know, committed throughout the whole match.”

Tsonga wasn’t making any excuses either. He owned up to the fact that he just had an off day.

“Was tough for me to keep the ball in the court. Not because he put on a lot of pressure…I don’t know how to explain that, but it was a day for me without sensation. Everything I tried to do, I missed it, and not about a point like this. In the match you have many, many points.”

Hoping for a little bit more excitement in the second quarterfinal of the day, fans stuck around to see Andy Murray take on Juan Martin Del Potro. Only a few games in, this match already showed more promising signs. It took Murray and Del Potro the length of Djokovic’s entire quarterfinal to reach the first set tiebreak. Both players fought hard, and after a few minutes, Andy Murray claimed the first set.

Going into the second, the momentum seemed to be in favor of the Brit. But the Argentine quickly pulled it his way and seemed to run away with the rest of the match. There were opportunities for Murray to break, but under the pressure he seemed to freeze – not exactly indicative of a player who’s had the recent string of success Murray has. In 2 hours and 32 minutes, Juan Martin Del Potro joined the likes of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Tomas Berdych in the semifinals with a 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1 win.

“There are certain things I would have obviously liked to have done better,” Murray said. He also gave credit to Del Potro, who is regaining his spot at the top of the game. “He has a big game. When he strings it together, he’s ‑‑ I mean, he’s a top, top player. He needs to obviously stay injury‑free. That’s important he so he can gain some momentum going into the big events. That’s one part of it. And then, yeah, you need to play your best tennis at the business end of the those events over five sets. It’s challenging, but he’s obviously done it before, and he’s playing some very good tennis just now.”

Del Potro admitted that he hasn’t had the easiest of times lately, and was pleased to make it through against such a tough player like Andy.

“I played my best match of the tournament,” he said. “I was positive all the time, even when I lost the first set, tough first set. But in the end, I play my game. I [was] aggressive all the time, I’m hitting all the time hard the ball with my forehands, and I play a few slices as well and drop shots. I think I did a very good game today.”

His fight against Murray may have been enough, but against the world no. 1 Djokovic who has been nearly flawless this year, he’ll need to do a lot more than play “good.” Djokovic and Del Potro are second on Stadium 1 Saturday following a 12:00 noon start.

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Topics: Andy Murray, BNP Paribas Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro, Novak Djokovic