Delpo leaves after debut

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Delpo leaves after debut

Second seed Juan Martin Del Potro has packed from the Swedish event earlier than expected after the Argentine was stunned in two sets, 6-4, 6-4 by James Blake in the second round at the Stockholm Open.

It took the American veteran nearly one hour and a half, breaking his opponent just twice throughout the entire meeting. Blake took the first lead after converting his only break point amid the term. As for the second set, it saw the same Blake take control of the game, going two games atop to close the clash in two rounds.

Blake finished the meeting with a 61 first server percentage, three aces, a double fault and an impressive 73 service percentage. He also won 39 percent of return points and 66 points out of 120 played. On the other side, the Argentine came up with a poor 27 return percentage, a 61 service one and four aces.

“This is my best win in the last three years I’d say. I played some of my best tennis and I’m really proud of it… He’s going to be a great champion for many years so I’ll be proud of this one for a long time… “I felt coming into Stockholm, I had some confidence. The body feels good for a change,” said Blake after the game.

Next up for him is either Ivan Dodig, winner of this term’s Zagreb Indoors, or another Argentine, David Nalbandian. Seventh seed Dodig edged Adrian Mannarino in two sets, 7-6, 7-6, managing to finish the game after two tight terms. The Croat needed two hours and nine minutes to make the progress into the second round.

The two held their serves consistently in the first set but it was Dodig to go two mini breaks atop of the French and clinch the first lead at the death 7-5. The second round looked almost the same as the first one, the two breaking each other once. Mannarino managed to win six points in the second breaker but it was overcome by a stubborn Croat who sealed the victory earlier than expected.

Dodig finished the game with a 67 first serve percentage, fired 19 aces, committed four double faults and had a 70 service percentage, compared to his opponent whose showing featured a 66 first serve percentage, an ace, a double fault and a 30 return percentage.

Dodig’s next opponent, David Nalbandian, beat Xavier Malisse in three sets, after losing the first round, 4-6, 7-6, 7-6. The Argentine came from behind when it counted the most, winning the last two terms on tie break. The Belgian broke Nalbandian twice in the opener when he also conceded a service, to take the first lead in just over half an hour.

But the second set saw Malisse lose the pace and allow his opponent push the round into the tie break Nalbandian eventually won at six. Finally, the decider brought the two players one break apiece, the matching needing yet another tie break to provide the winner.

David left Malisse four points adrift in the last run, clinching the victory in two hours and 40 minutes. The Argentine, who is chasing his first title of the season in Stockholm, finished the match with a 56 first serve percentage, eight aces, seven double faults and a 63 service percentage.

On the other side, the Belgian, who hit 16 aces, won 61 percent of first serve points and 61 of service points, converting four out of six break points. The head to head series between the two has now gone 5-1 to the world number 58 Nalbandian who lost the previous meeting in Miami back in 2008.

Stockholm Prize Money and points:

Winner – 96,800 euro and 250 points ATP

Runner up – 50,900 euro and 150 points ATP

Semi finalist – 27,600 euro and 90 points ATP

Quarter finalist – 15,730 euro and 45 points ATP

R16 – 9,265 euro and 20 points ATP

R32 – 5,500 euro and zero points

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