• ATP Tour

Del Potro sets up final with Benneteau

ESPN staff
February 16, 2013
Juan Martin del Potro will face Frenchman Julien Benneteau © AP
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Juan Martin del Potro has reached the final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam by defeating Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-4.

The Argentine lost to Roger Federer in the final last year but following the Swiss master's elimination by Frenchman Julien Benneteau on Friday, the No. 2 seed is well placed to take this year's title.

Who he will face will be decided when Benneteau meets compatriot and fifth seed Gilles Simon later on Saturday.

Del Potro served less aces and more double faults than Dimitrov but his power at the start of the point compensated for his inferior consistency.

He was cool under pressure too and saw off both break points which he faced while his opponent could only scramble and save one of the three against him.

Federer-slayer Julien Benneteau will meet Del Potro in the final after beating fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon and if he can find a way past the Argentine he will win his first ATP World Tour singles title, at the age of 31.

Simon was the fifth seed but had his serve broken twice by Benneteau and went down 6-4 7-6(2) in one hour and 49 minutes. A day before Benneteau had beaten defending champion Federer, also in straight sets, and the world No. 39 will be contesting his eighth Tour final on Sunday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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