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Del Potro knocks out Gasquet, makes final

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic stretches to make a return against Andy Roddick of the US during their semi-final at the Japan Open in Tokyo yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro continued his stunning run of form yesterday to set up a showdown against Tomas Berdych in the final of the Japan Open.

The Argentine fifth seed, fresh from upsetting defending champion David Ferrer of Spain in the quarter-finals, beat Richard Gasquet 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 to claim his 29th win in his past 30 matches.

Berdych, the ninth seed from the Czech Republic, staged a great comeback from 0-3 down in the final set to beat second seed Andy Roddick of the US 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/3).

“He [Gasquet] served very well in the second and third sets. He has a good backhand and he made a lot of slices. I don’t like it,” the 20-year-old Del Potro said. “But I served well, too, when I needed it. I was a little lucky, but I played good.”

After losing the first set with three breaks against his serve, Gasquet hit form in the second set with a single break enough to level the match.

Gasquet, the fourth seed, had the first chance to break in the final set, only to see Del Potro hit a forehand volley winner.

The Frenchman had another chance in the 11th game, when Del Potro hit a couple of double faults to trail 15-40, but the Argentine held on.

When Del Potro was asked about what he was thinking in the 11th game, he said: “I just tried to keep going, because if I keep trying I would have a chance to break him. That’s what happened in the final game.”

Gasquet said: “In the first set he was better than me. I served too bad. He broke me in the first game, so it was not good for my confidence. But I was better than him in the second set, for sure, and in the third, I had one break point at 1-1 and break points at 5-5. I was a little bit [tired] and frustrated after losing at 5-5.”

“He served really well in the third set. He is confident after beating Ferrer,” said Gasquet, ranked 13th in the world.

In the other semi-final, Berdych stormed back from 0-3 and 2-5 down in the final set before winning the tie-breaker.

“5-2 looks really not good, but it was only one break, so I was just trying to stay on my serve. I just tried to make a break, because I made two times in the second set,” Berdych said. “I felt that the chances were there and I just tried to go for it, and finally it happened. The most important thing was to stay as close as possible with him. In the end it came to the tie-break and I won it.”

As for the final against Del Potro, he said: “He has a great season, his summer was great, he won four tournaments in a row. I think the chances are even. I will bring my best game and hopefully I can bring the title home.”

Roddick said: “He [Berdych] plays a big game. I think the surface suits him pretty well, because he hits hard and flat. He did everything pretty well, he served pretty well, so nothing really surprised me about the way he played.”

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