Raonic, del Potro set up Delray Beach clash
MIAMI: Former US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro defeated defending champ Sam Querrey in straight sets to reach his second straight Delray Beach Open semifinal on Friday.
The victory sets up a mouthwatering battle with top seed Canadian Milos Raonic on Saturday.
The seventh seeded del Potro, who won this ATP Tour event in 2011, beat American wild card Querrey 7-5, 7-5 in a 93-minute match on Stadium Court.
The Argentinian hammered eight aces, had two double faults and won 87 percent of his first serves points while overcoming 16 aces by Querrey.
De Potro has split his two career meetings with Raonic, but they have not played in four years.
“It’s going to be a big chance for me,” said del Potro. “He’s the favorite and is playing so good, but I want to see how my level is against the top players at this part of the year.”
Little separated del Potro and Querrey during their quarterfinal match, but the Argentinian gained the lone break in each set at 5-5. He denied Querrey any break point chances.
Del Potro reached the semifinals of this event last year before going on to win 32 matches and being named the Tour’s comeback player of the year for the second time.
The 28-year-old Argentinian, who won the 2009 US Open title, has endured three left wrist and one right wrist surgeries in his career.
Raonic booked his semifinal berth by rallying to beat Britain’s Kyle Edmund 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.