Juan More: Del Potro Continues To Close On London

Before the US Open, Juan Martin del Potro was 47th in the Emirates ATP Race To London. The only place it appeared the Argentine would get to see the Nitto ATP Finals action would be from home.

But after defeating defending champion Marin Cilic, 6-4, 6-4, in one hour, 37 minutes in the semi-finals of the Swiss Indoors Basel, del Potro moved to within one match of putting himself in the final qualifying spot for the year-end finale with just one tournament remaining, at the Rolex Paris Masters next week.

“I played a good match, but always to beat Cilic you must play at a high level,” del Potro said. “I’m happy that I did well and reached another final here in Basel.”

If del Potro can earn his third Basel title (2012, 2013) on Sunday, he will pass Pablo Carreno Busta, who currently occupies the final spot, in the Race.

Del Potro has played some of the best tennis of anyone on the ATP World Tour lately, advancing to the semi-finals of the US Open (l. Nadal) and the Shanghai Rolex Masters (l. Federer), defending his title at the Intrum Stockholm Open (d. Dimitrov) and now reaching the Swiss Indoors Basel final for the first time since 2013.

Saturday’s victory was his seventh in a row against Cilic, extending his lead in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series to 10-2. He has also won 17 of their past 19 sets.

And while Cilic is at a career-high of No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, he never truly found his rhythm against the in-form del Potro. The Croatian made an abundance of errors to dig himself a hole that he could not fight his way out of. After early breaks by both in the opening set, del Potro drilled a backhand return on his third break point at 4-4 to gain the advantage, and he would hold to clinch the set. Del Potro then broke immediately in the second set as he looked to storm into the final. But Cilic started to find his range off the baseline, breaking back for 3-3. However, the momentum did not last as he immediately earned his break back, and held out from there to clinch the win.

“I think I will be in good shape for tomorrow,” del Potro said. “I’m so excited to play the final.”

The Argentine will play seven-time Basel champion Roger Federer, who cruised past third seed David Goffin, 6-1, 6-2, in the semi-finals. Del Potro trails Federer 6-17 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry. And while the Swiss has captured four of their past five matches, the 29-year-old ousted Federer in the quarter-finals of this year’s US Open.

“For me it’s going to be a great challenge and also a great pleasure to play against Roger again in his hometown,” del Potro said. “It will be a great atmosphere, and I will enjoy it a lot.”

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