By Chris Oddo | Saturday March 3, 2018
Juan Martin del Potro remained perfect against Kevin Anderson on Saturday by defeating the South African in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel final, 6-4, 6-4.
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Del Potro improves to 7-0 lifetime against Anderson with the win and he achieves the feat of winning three consecutive Top 10 victories for the sixth time in his career and the first time since 2016.
Photo credit: Guillermo Sanchez
Del Potro, who defeated World No.6 Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals and World No.5 Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, cracked 12 aces, won 28 of 36 first-serve points and did not face a break point over the course of the one hour and 40 minute encounter against the World No.8.
Del Potro hit 26 winners on the night and broke in the seventh game of the first set to move ahead for good. In the second set the Argentine capitalized after Anderson had an injury scare and needed an MTO at 15-40 of the third game. Anderson tweaked his left leg after falling during a point, and Del Potro quickly notched the decisive break for a 2-1 lead when play resumed.
He marched to the finish from there, clinching his first 500 title since 2013 and his 21st title overall. Del Potro will rise to No.8 as a result of his title.
Photo credit: Guillermo Sanchez
Del Potro’s 67.7 winning percentage in ATP finals is good for seventh on the all-time list among players who have played 25 or more finals.