Del Potro, Raonic advance; Cilic ousted
28 March 2018 4:23 PM GMT
Miami: Juan Martin del Potro sent his devoted fans home happy by powering into the ATP Miami Open quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph over Serbian Filip Krajinovic.
Roared on by a partisan crowd, the 29-year-old Argentinian recovered from 1-4 down in the first set to reel off nine games in a row on his way to a last-eight match with Canada's Milos Raonic today.
Del Potro's welcome return to form and fitness saw him win the Indian Wells title and continue to impress at the last tournament in Key Biscayne before a move north to the NFL Miami Dolphins' home stadium next year.
"Playing here they make it special for the South American players and I am trying to enjoy the last time playing in Key Biscayne," Del Potro said.
"I know many Argentine fans live here and are so close. I will miss them."
Windy conditions hampered players all day and the former US Open champion took time to find his groove in his first meeting with 27th-ranked Krajinovic.
"The weather was so bad to play tennis. We couldn't feel the ball 100 percent. We couldn't hit from the baseline," Del Potro admitted.
"I'm confident I will feel better tomorrow. The better weather will make me feel better on court."
Raonic, who easily saw off Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-4, lost to del Potro in the Indian Wells semi-finals and will be eagerly seeking revenge.
"It will be a different match to the one we played in Indian Wells, different conditions," Del Potro said.
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