Shanghai Rolex Masters, the last Masters 1000 of the season, has reached the final four stags. To make things even more exciting, the stage will feature some of the biggest names of the men's tour including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But these two greats won't be alone in there as Marin Cilic, and Juan Martin del Potro are also well-positioned after displaying some rock-solid tennis throughout the current week. Juan Martin del Potro will take on Roger Federer for a place in his first Masters 1000 event since the 2013 edition of Shanghai. Del Potro who will move up inside the top 20 for the first time in three years is yet to break the ice in terms of winning at least a Masters event.
Del Potro recovered from a set down to knock out Viktor Troicki
For the third time this week, the 29-year-old from Argentina had to pay three sets to Seal The Deal. The second round rubber against Andrey Rublev was his only match when only two sets where needed. This time, del Potro bumped into Viktor Troicki who had been having a solid week en route to the quarterfinals. The first set saw both players going toe to toe. The seventh game pictured a hesitant Argentine player and Troicki cashed in the opportunity. A break of serve that earned him the opening set. But del Potro was willing to keep his ATP Finals bid alive and raced from one set deficit to surpass his opponent. The better player of the next two sets, he was also involved in a small incident in the third set.
Trying to position himself for a forehand shot, del Potro lost his balance and fell on his left arm putting unwanted pressure on that surgically-reconstructed left wrist. A small obstacle that didn't stop him from cruising past an apparently exhausted Troicki.
Del Potro and how he enjoys racing from behind
The win against Viktor Troicki followed the same scenario as yesterday.
In the previous del Potro edged Alexander Zverev (4 ATP) after recovering from a set down. Today, Troicki had to deal with the same warrior-like spirit as the Argentine didn't make a step back.
Moreover, an in-form and highly-motivated del Potro might be what this season's end needs. If he wins in Shanghai, he will move up the eleventh spot in ATP Race keeping the bid open for a last-minute Nitto ATP Finals appearance.
He could use the upcoming events in Basel, Vienna or Paris to seal the deal now that the other contenders for the last available spot are far from their peak form. One by one, Kevin Anderson, Pablo Carreno Busta, Sam Querrey or Nick Kyrgios they all seem to have lost their pace in Shanghai.
