Juan Martin del Potro faced Stephane Robert in the first round of the Championships. Del Potro was back at Wimbledon since his last appearance at 2013 and looking to make a good start. Robert had not passed the first round before and had quite a task ahead of him.
The Argentine was off to a strong start taking the first set by storm. He stuttered slightly as the Frenchman grew into the game but just managed to edge out the second set. And in the third set, it was all del Potro as Robert faded away, sealing a 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 victory to set up a clash with Stan Wawrinka.
Del Potro’s forehand doing all the damage
Del Potro was off to a lightning start, his forehand already doing the damage with a couple of winners to get an immediate break. The Argentine’s lethal forehand once again gave him chances to get the double break in the third game. However, Robert stood firm to dig out a hold to get on the scoreboard for 1-2.
While the Argentine cruised through his service games, the Frenchman was made to work a little harder in his. A couple of double faults in the fifth game gave del Potro another look in and the Argentine capitalized to race to a 4-1 lead. Robert did have his first chance in the sixth game but a big serve allowed del Potro to save. The Frenchman had another chance after an error from the Argentine but del Potro hung on to deny Robert the break.
Robert’s struggle with serves continued and it worked in favor of the Argentine who able to hit winners off his forehand to create a double set point. The Frenchman rescued one of them but could not hang on as del Potro grabbed the first set 6-1.
A tight set goes the way of del Potro
An error-strewn game though from the Argentine gave Robert an early break opportunity which the Frenchman converted to make a good start to the second set. Del Potro came fighting back immediately earning triple break point with a sumptuous forehand return. Robert only managed to diffuse one of the break points as the Argentine leveled for 1-1.
Normal service game resumed and Robert was getting into the match now with a delightful pass to create a break point in the fifth game. Del Potro survived and held to edge 3-2 on serve. With both men holding serve, del Potro had half a chance in the 10th game but Robert held to level 5-5. And once more the Frenchman was called to serve to stay in the second set, an error into the net gave the Argentine set point. Del Potro correctly challenged a point and instead of a replay the point was given to him as he took the set to go two sets up.
Del Potro drops a bagel to wrap up the victory
Robert’s level seemed to drop again as del Potro broke early before cruising to a 3-0 lead in the third set. The errors from the Frenchman handed the Argentine triple break point in the fourth game. And on the third opportunity, del Potro benefitted after Robert’s shot went wide to extend his lead for 4-0.
The Argentine closed out his game in quick fashion to consolidate the double break for 5-0. With the Frenchman looking out of sorts and del Potro coming up with some glorious shots, the Argentine was able to carve out three match points. And an unfortunate double fault allowed del Potro to close it out on the third opportunity.