Djokovic brilliant in banishing del Potro

Novak Djokovic has overcome Juan Martin del Potro in a three-set barnstormer to advance to the last 16 at Indian Wells.

Djokovic’s 7-5 4-6 6-1 win was highlighted by incredible ball-striking, highlight reel-worthy points and shades of Djokovic at his peak – especially on the backhand wing.

Djokovic’s win sets up a mouth-watering clash with Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round.

It will be a rematch of their Acapulco quarterfinal a fortnight ago, which Kyrgios won in straight sets.

“Obviously a lot is at stake when you play a quality player, top player like Delpo – the rankings don’t do much justice for the quality of the tennis he produces and the player his is,” Djokovic said.

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“He’s a big-match player, he knows how to play on a big occasion.

“I knew coming into the match it was going to be very important for me to really be fired up and to bring that intensity on the court in order to bring my A-game, because that’s what was required from me to win this match.”

He won three straight games, the third highlighted by scintillating forehand pass and backhand winners that put the scoreboard at 4-3 in the Serb’s favour.

Games went on serve from that point until the 12th game, during which Djokovic found himself on the receiving end of two terrible line calls; a fault that was six inches long that wasn’t called – Hawk-Eye overruled – before a forceful Djokovic shot that landed on baseline was called out, forcing a replay.

The enraged second seed nonethless broke to take the first set.

The second set began in identical fashion, with del Potro breaking Djokovic in the opening game.

With his big serve beginning to wear Djokovic down, the Argentine moved ahead a double break and soon sent the match into a third.

Here, the quality of tennis was at its finest – especially from Djokovic’s end of the court.

In the fourth game, Djokovic claimed an incredible point with a backhand drop volley (see video above) after fending off a barrage of del Potro passing shots. Pumped up and igniting the crowd, Djokovic then broke serve with a biting slice that forced an error from del Potro.

In the first point of the fifth game, del Potro launched himself into a forehand and with a loud grunt powered a near-certain winner into Djokovic’s backhand corner.

Djokovic rifled the reply up the line with incredible pace for a winner. He held to love for 4-1.

Break serve again, he then held serve in the following game – helped by two more backhand winners – to close out the match.

“The third set was the best tennis I’ve played this year, probably,” Djokovic said.

“Obviously against Delpo, who has a big serve, to break him two times in a set was great.

“I’m just hoping I can carry this confidence level – especially on the return – to tomorrow’s match because I’m gonna need that. I lost to Nick some time ago in Acapulco and he was serving extremely well.

“So another big server, and well I’m hoping I can get the better result.”