Day 6: Federer v Del Portro Tennis: World Tour Finals

Remember this man? Harare effort from Del Potro! That is remarkable!

One of the best matches we have ever seen.

SUE BARKER: This chap isn't too add either. Today, Juan Martin Del Potro

takes on Roger Federer. It's either. Today, Juan Martin Del Potro

semifinal and 2013 bragging rights. So, what a treat for a Saturday

afternoon. We have Roger Federer against Juan Martin Del Potro. These

two have a habit of going the distance in their matches and they

have produced some absolute classics in the past. The Olympic semifinal

last year, to name just one. A slight delay this afternoon because

in just a moment, Rafa Nadal will be stepping onto court to receive his

trophy as he ends the year as the world number one. And Tim and Andrew

are here. World number one and well deserved world number one.

Absolutely. Not just last year but missing seven months. There were so

many question marks about coming back. To have won ten tournaments,

he think it is popular. There is a thing called

charisma, Sue, and he had loads of it. There is a global feel for him.

Him and Djokovic are setting new standards. He comes! Give him the

big sell, Justin! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

rehabilitation. And then something extraordinary happened. In a

breathtaking run, the man from York went on to claim eight ATP World

Tour titles and two grand slam titles and reclaim the world number

one position in the ATP rankings. On court, his incredible run of ten

titles after injury has earned him the comeback player of the year

award, as voted by his fellow professionals. And for the third

time in his career, Rafa Nadal is the winner of the ATP World Tour

number one. Given to the player who ends the year as world number one in

the Emirates ATP rankings. So, congratulations to Spain's Rafael

Nadal for his stellar 2013. Vamos! congratulations to Spain's Rafael

Rafa world number one for the third time, and it is amazing to think

this time last year he was laid up with a knee injury, not even

thinking or knowing he would be able to get back on court.

But what a year he has had. Two grand slam titles and more trophies

to add to his growing collection. 27 years old only and world number one

for the third time. Say a few words, Rafa. Did you ever believe you could

win both of these awards and get back to the number one position?

Well, one year ago when I saw this tournament on the TV I never thought

I would have the chance to be back here and being the number one player

of the world, so just having an amazing year, I can say thank you

very much to my team, my family. Without them it would not be

possible to be back where Without them it would not be

than ever, so it is fantastic what happened this year, so I can just

say thank you very much to everybody. They made me feel very

special. Rafa, to be the best in an

individual sport, no team-mates, to be ranked number one - what does it

mean to you? Well, that is what the ranking says. I've never had this

kind of feeling but to be number one in your sport is one of the most

difficult things you can do it in in our sport because our season is very

long and you have to be playing very well from the beginning and to the

end because the competition is very, very hard. A lot of fantastic

players out there, very, very hard. A lot of fantastic

have won ten tournaments so far and two grand slam is. Is there a moment

that sticks out as your proudest? It would be very difficult in a year

like this to choose one. From the beginning up to here, all the

possibilities to play again in these great stadiums. You know, it is

probably more special than ever because when you are out for such a

long time, your mind starts thinking whether you will have the chance to

be back to do what you used to do in the past, so I'll just have to

choose every tournament I'd played and everyone vamos won special for

some reason, and just that I've enjoyed this season a lot. --

some reason, and just that I've players are devastated he is playing

the best tennis of his career! Where would you put that comeback? It is

one of the best in sport, isn't it? It is. To be out for seven months

and come back and even feel like you belong at pro-level, that is one

thing, but to come back and dominate is quite another. I'd put him right

up there. I love him in a suit! He is so cute, isn't he? And he is so

humble. We're lucky to have him in the sport. We have said it time and

time again. Last night, as we saw, this guy is a frightening physical

specimen. If he stays fit, Ye -- he has another four, five years. Viktor

Troicki, you fail to give a test, as we heard, has been banned for a

year. we heard, has been banned for a

split opinions as to how efficient the system is. How do you feel about

the way the case has been handled? I don't know the ins and outs of the

case but whether either player was intentionally cheating or not, we

don't know that. I don't think either of them are like that. But

both of them, I think, were unprofessional. That's the

situation. One of them refused to give a drugs test and we don't know

exactly what was said in the room between the doping control officer

and Viktor Troicki, but the reality is, there are rules there and you

need to stick to what the rules are. You know, they are going to change

them now where I think now there's going

are told we have to do a drugs test, that is what the rules. It is

unfortunate but you can't just the rules all the time. And I am happy

that the drug testing is going in the right direction and we are

starting to increase the drug testing, doing more testing and we

have the biological passports for players. They're almost has to be a

zero tolerance on stuff because if not, people think they can get away

with anything. -- there almost has to be.

Particularly by not giving a test by Viktor Troicki, it is a wake-up

call, and it says, you don't leave, no matter what. Exactly. If you have

been chosen for a drug test, whether that is a blood

been chosen for a drug test, whether over-the-counter in a pharmacy, that

is madness. And you have to be so careful. There have been

contamination issues and as an athlete you know that if you are

going to have some sort of supplement or even taking of

medication, you go to a tournament doctor so that it can be monitored

and everybody is aware if you need to take something. And for those

guys, they have to suffer the consequences, and I think Andy

rightly points out that there have been issues in other sports and

there can easily be a scepticism in the public about sport, and tennis

has to make sure it is whiter than white. Andy has been quite outspoken

about this. He feels very strongly on this. He was very quick to go on

social media on the day he was given his OBE to say that he had been

asked to give an out of competition test himself. He was

he makes there is that we would be naive to think everything was clean

in the past. Because journalists are going to ask the question, well,

what do you mean, Andy? And I think it would be wise not to say what he

thinks. But to see him articulately putting across as point of view, and

Federer, is fantastic. If you fail to give a sample and it is your word

against the blood test's you are going to lose, and rightly so.

Absolutely. If you want to have your say on this, get in touch with us.

We will give you the address later on. Back to the tennis, and the

match we are looking forward to is terrific, but what a match they had

last night, with Rafa Nadal coming through against Tomas Berdych. This

is how he finished it off and he finished it off in some style. In

the second set, finished it off in some style. In

won it with his 17th forehand winner. A brutal test physically and

mentally. And he knew he was already through to the semifinal. I mean,

you just wants to win every match he plays in. -- he just once. There was

a bitter feeling at the end that Tomas Berdych was thinking, why are

you taking so much time, Rafa? But as he said, he is playing some of

the best tennis of his career. This will stand up into going through,

celebrating his match against David Ferrer. He said he would buy Rafa

dinner because him winning made him go through to the semifinals! He had

chances in the first set and his effort was terrific. He didn't panic

and effort was terrific. He didn't panic

be facing Novak Djokovic, who has won that group. That will be one of

the semifinals but we wait to see whether it will be Juan Martin Del

Potro or Roger Federer. And they both know this so well. They have

played 70 times, so many great matches, and this is their third

meeting in three weeks. -- played so many times. Yes. This is why we are

going to enjoy watching Roger play as well. He is playing against time,

playing against the youngest, and he will have to avoid the weapons Juan

Martin has. Look out for the little boy holding Juan Martin Del Potro

backhand. He has motor neurone disease. -- holding Juan Martin's

hand. disease. -- holding Juan Martin's

this year off on a high, and to win this match, get through to the

semifinals, there will be everything to play for. Six times champion but

he didn't even know he would be here till last week. It has been a very

different year for Roger. He is trying to prove something. It is

great to watch. He will get a huge ovation! He comes.

From Switzerland, Roger Federer! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

season, the 2009 Barclays ATP World Tour finals runner-up, from

Argentina, Juan Martin Del Potro! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

And isn't it lovely to see the players reacting with the mascots,

because this is a big day for them. And he is a lovely man, isn't he? A

lovely man. And the little boy, the seven-year-old. I said to him, don't

fall over, it is seven-year-old. I said to him, don't

not supposed to move like this at over six foot tall. Federer is going

to have to find the shots and creativity people know he has. Del

Potro played such an amazing match against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

and won so many fans. It was played in such great spirit. That is right.

He has played so many great matches now. He played Federer in the

Olympics and played that incredible match against Djokovic, as you said.

And he is a force to be reckoned with. I'd think there are many

players who hit the ball harder than him. -- I don't think. Federer has

to keep you moving and if Del Potro can keep them from the baseline, you

will make Federer's afternoon pretty difficult.

receives. Thank you. A good match, gentlemen. A photo, please.

It just shows how tall the guys are! She really need some higher heels

on! I think she is a bit taller than that. Juan Martin is a towering

figure, isn't he? They are deceptive in height and most people think

Nadal is pretty short, but he is six foot one. It is about how you move.

There is no point being six foot six if you, move around the court. And

that is where he is so good. He has grown into his body and grown in the

leg and got the endurance. He is absolutely one of the best players

He was so proud to win that bronze talking about some of the

He was so proud to win that bronze medal last year. And this is their

third meeting in three weeks. What those two matches came down to was

who was winning the majority of points when the second serve was in

play. In other words, when the ball is being rallied from the back the

court, who is winning them? For Federer to win them and ground

stroke this guy on the court is a real challenge and a demand for

him. You cannot leave the ball anywhere near the middle of the

court or short because he gets his feet around it. So a key area today

is, Federer has to play with purpose and with real clarity. He has to go

to get to the backhand. And for all sorts of tactical reasons, that is

fun to watch. It is going to be a great match. It

fun to watch. It is going to be a 4-4. It is not that fast court. It

will be a very interesting matchup. And he seems to be closing the gap

on Federer because he has beaten him five times and three

on Federer because he has beaten him come in the last few months. But his

journey to Paris wasn't without incident.

Juan Martin, by her jaw week started badly. Why was sorry to hear about

the robbery in Paris. -- I heard your week started badly. Was

anything personal take on? Yes. Many things. I had a blessing from the

Pope so I will have to try to meet him again next year. How do

Pope so I will have to try to meet next year. Some of the crowd were

calling you Del boy. Have you seen him on action -- in action on the

screen? Yes! When they call me it again, I will like it! You hit the

ball incredibly hard. As the game becomes more physical and powerful,

do you think you are hitting the ball with more power every year that

goes by? I think so but also the courts are faster, the Bulls are

faster, and that helps. That helps my game for sure. -- the balls. If

the surface is faster it is better for my game as well. How much would

it mean to you to finish the year as world number three, which is a real

possibility? It is a possibility but I have to do very well here. If

not, I have to do very well here. If

this show. It is my fourth Masters Cup so if I reach it once again, it

will be making a little history for my country and for South America in

the sport, which is another extra motivation for me.

Every time I hear him interviewed, he is such a nice guy. So sorry to

hear about what happened to him. Let's talk about the wrist injury

because he was on his way right up to the top of the rankings when it

happened in 2009? Yes. It is actually the left wrist, as with a

lot of two-handed backhanders. When they are on the run, they are trying

to flick the ball back and when you get a tendon injury like that, it is

very, get a tendon injury like that, it is

Del Potro to have been US Open champion and then fall down the

rankings and come back up to where he is now, he is going to be the

future of the game. He will be around for a long, long time. That

is Del Potro but what about Federer? 30 unforced errors against

Richard Gasquet. He won't be allowed to do that today? Exactly. When the

standard dips they make more unforced errors than we're used to

seeing and he can't do that today. He has to get the balance between

energy and aggression and cut out the unforced errors. It is fitting.

The winner of this match goes through to the semifinals. Federer

never talks about his injuries were a much but the back injury has

affected him this year, not just in matches but in

had, it has restricted him. I'd feel he is a bit undercooked because of

that and win this tournament is finished, he will have a very busy

and intensive training period so that when he starts in Australia, he

will hit the ground running. It is going to boil down to who can create

the opportunities and take their break point chances in this match.

It's going to be decided by fine margins. It certainly is and we are

going to enjoy it. If you want to have your say, you can tweet us at

#bbctennis. Or you can add comments to our Facebook page.

this one. You thought Federer would make that to the net. Suddenly Del

Potro was on the attack. He always looks so relaxed at the beginning of

the match but he can't start off complacent.

It is dancing on a kind, to skip over that backhand side and unleash

on the forehand. Two great points saved, crucial moments just three

minutes into the match. That is a bad one and that is a

break. Small margins, isn't it? This is

what you are talking about in the studio. Small margins, but again,

why was Federer in trouble there, love 40 down? Unforced errors. You

almost sense the intensity love 40 down? Unforced errors. You

Federer's game that need attention. Potro's semifinal this year, he lost

to Djokovic, four hours 40 minutes, the longest semifinal in Wimbledon

ever. The point about that match was, it

was his first grand slam semifinal since he won the US Open in 2009. It

seems amazing to me, that Del Potro had that much time between really

getting into the money at a grand slam.

That is a backhand, that one, that is a tough one to deal with for

anybody! Oh, he has just pulled out wide. Del

Potro maintained a lovely rhythm despite the net called in the middle

of the rally. The Argentine player yet to bring

the big artillery off the ground, but not many to many

Second serve, deuce, trying to get back into the match, a big match for

him. Risky business running around the

second if you do not hit a winner on that second, Del Potro will pick you

off and it is 2-love. He is from Argentina, he is from a pretty small

town, 100,000 people. Six professional players have come from

The light is of -- the likes of DMO this town. It has produced

The light is of -- the likes of DMO Peres, all from this Courtown.

I wonder whether we will see any 100 mph forehands today?

Roger Federer played a better game there, he executed the shots better.

There were definitely so much more intent. The first game came, three

There were definitely so much more years, it seems like that. John

McEnroe has said many times, and I agree with this point, I would love

to get your view, the concentration is what goes. It is not so much the

physicality. Perhaps, but I don't think that's quite... In an event of

this nature, perhaps in a more mundane tour event, a world tour

final, deciding match to get to the semifinals, that will still get

Federer's interest levels up. For me when he has not played his best, it

is so important to come out with the correct intentions and he did not do

that. He has given Del Potro the perfect start and made life a little

bit difficult for himself. There is obviously a long way to go. Del

Potro has the break of serve, Federer's opening serve game broken.

That was a reasonable technique from Del Potro on the Whalley, did well,

but slapped away. Well done! If you can get it over

Del Potro's head, you must be running forward pretty fast and he

was there. Unable to get up. The drop shot, first one on the forehand

side, follows it in, this is nice. Whenever these go over your head you

think, blimey, what am I going to do?

It is quite a big gap when his seat go apart!

He does move well, Del Potro. How can it be a feature of a game from a

man who is six foot six? It's definitely didn't happen a few years

ago. When you are six foot 60 have also

got long arms. And when you do not with the serve, they will come back

pretty quick. There are two points to movement,

there is a That is so not the play. The

concentration is not there, the execution is not there. You have got

to grind it out and he does not look like he is in the mood right now. I

am not saying that he may not find that sort of mood but he is going to

have to work for this. There is no sign of work on that one.

From 40-love up, Federer dropped his serve and the set will probably

follow soon. serve and the set will probably

drop shots... But a slice, a sliced ball from Del Potro, a sliced drop

shot from behind the baseline, I have never seen. That is fooling

around tennis. That is exhibition stuff. We talked about Federer's

levels, the good bit has still been very good. It is the inconsistency

which has crept into his game over the last six months. They have

played five games, nine unforced error, making two unforced errors

again, you give your opponent a 30-love start and it is very

difficult from there. Federer have to cut that out, simple as that. You

do not win over 900 matches on tour and produce everything that Federer

has without sometimes, when you are not feeling like you fancy it,

grinding and working and getting some gutsy point out, he is really

such a long period of time, Federer was so dominant. He was so much

better than everyone else, he was able to win very easily and now that

is not the case. Other players have improved and now he has got to use

all the different attribute and one of those is the mental side of

things. It is being out there to grind at times.

It is interesting points you raise, the guys winning the slams around

that time, the generation you are part of, is this generation that

much better? I think so, they have taken the game to new heights.

Hewitt, Agassi were still around. I only stopped playing six years ago,

and there were times when I cannot really relate with the way they hit

the ball. It is so hard and aggressive and consistent.

Talking about the players that came out of his home town, six guys, top

prize-winning players, top 100, maybe top ten. Marcella Gomez was

the coach who got him into the game, he said, people do not like school,

they prefer sports! And sometimes, it seems, having a

big team around them, it can actually dilate the attention. He

has got actually dilate the attention. He

around him. But is really nothing new. He is having to deal with a lot

more challenges on the court at the moment. You can look at stats and

sometimes they mean more than others. Only 63% on your first serve

and 47% on your second serve, that is not what it used to be. 11

unforced errors after seven games. He's doing his best to resist

watching some of the rallies up on the screen here at the O2 Arena. It

is the world 's tour Championships here. Eight players came here, the

eight players who have had the best player and who were available. And

the Murray, the Wimbledon champion electing to have a back operation,

recovering pretty well. -- Andy Murray. Even

recovering pretty well. -- Andy what is now quite a wintry November.

We have seen that several times from Roger Federer, particularly against

Richard Gasquet. Feigning the drop shot, driving through but no one is

buying it. I do not understand why you were to hit a sliced forehand

when you have got his top-spin forehand. I do not think he is

playing around, I do not he has got a clear game plan in his mind. If he

does not get one soon, he's going to be getting on holiday.

In the meantime, he has managed to carve out three break points here.

When it gaps in that position, that part of the court with that much

time, you have just got to keep going for the forehand. It is as

good a shot as there is. That was a long way over the net.

Give it some air, let the spin hit the court!

It is funny how it can be relatively one-sided, this set, and they played

48 points and it is 24 all. I wonder if Del Potro is looking

forward to the next game? He cannot do any worse than his previous

service game. Three straight games, Federer is

back in against Del Potro. They are playing for a place in the

semifinals, it is a straight play-off. Both

real prize at stake. It is a big match and it is a season close for

both. On the e-mail, Dean says, sorry, I do not want that one! I am

not going to ask your question. Jake does not seek Del Potro as a one

slam wonders, what is your views? I think he is improving, it came as a

surprise when he came to win that US Open final, Federer was leading to

set up. I see his game improving, he hits the ball is as good as any, he

has got the belief in the big matches and I would not be surprised

if he won more slams in the future. You are quite firm that you did not

think Stanislas Wawrinka would win. They are at different stages of

their career, I can see than having a big win, I can see him being up to

Well, wherever Roger Federer was in number five or

Well, wherever Roger Federer was in his head 15, 20 minutes ago, he

seems to be somewhere a bit different now. He has won three

straight games. right there. The intensity went up

about eightfold in that rally. Both players knew how important the first

point of the game was. His wife did, too.

Looks like a badminton racket in his hand, doesn't it?

UMPIRE: Mr Federer is challenging the call on the right far sideline.

Del Ha, ha! That was an unbelievable lob

from Federer. Off this approach Shia, Federer timed his approach to

the backhand side so well. Del Potro would have picked him off. -- this

approach here. Unbelievable! Not uneasy serve. Will portray's

ball toss going along way to the left. -- Del

Oh, my! This is possibly the best hitting we have seen all week. Some

of those slices... They are taking the heads of daisies! UC rallies

That's fabulous. Federer's thinking Federer's levels.

That's fabulous. Federer's thinking about challenging it but it's

pointless. Del Potro is saying, what about the

timing on this? Instantaneous. It is good, this. Head-to-head. Toe to

toe. Man-to-man! You have to take your hat off to

Juan Martin Del Potro because most people here are very much enjoying

the thought of Federer getting back up to 5-5 and Del Potro has shown

what he is made of there. Forehands, backhands. He is just reliable in a

big situation, isn't he? He certainly is, and that is a tough

game. He lost 12 points in a row early on... And he had to really

come up with the goods then. Based on break point down, unreturnable

serve. Is there anything that leaps out at

serve. Is there anything that leaps putting down, his first serve. The

engage came back almost but it went. He has made life more to -- more

difficult for himself. Do you want a chance to win your cup of tea back?

You only three cups of tea. I can't deny that! -- you only. I am betting

on Del Potro so you got to have Federer. One cup of tea, I'll go

with Federer. You can never go too far wrong betting on Federer on a

tennis court! But he's going to have to fight back here. It

tennis court! But he's going to have have been, and it is

crossgenerational now, which is the thing we talk about with Roger,

Agassi, Hewitt, James Blake, David Ferrer, Nadal and Tsonga. This is a

straight play-off for a semifinal place.

Semifinals tomorrow, final on Monday.

down and watch some of this comfortably enough.

Is that the best match you saw, Nadal against Federer 2008? For me,

that is still the greatest singles match ever saw. I would have to

agree with you. It had everything. Nadal dominating 2-0, rain delay,

Federer comes back wins the tie-break, it was getting dark, 9-7

in the fifth. Amazing. Played in the late 80s, early 90s. A

lefty, that man. Five foot nine, good on clay, good draw on grass.

Watching him walk around with his coach is like watching a great Dane

walk around with a Chihuahua. So funny! With respect

14 wins for Federer in the head to head.

He has cut it a little bit to find. That was the right time to play the

drop shot. He had the short ball and had act Del Potro up with the serve.

Didn't need to be that good anywhere over the net because he would have

won the point anywhere. Now he is in trouble.

He can't wait until the end of sets to get fired up and get back into

it. You lay the foundation at the beginning. And you have to say, by

his very high standards, this was sloppy work by Federer. Good work by

Del Potro. Absolutely. Del Potro is doing everything he needs to do. He

was unlucky on the first point, Federer. Del Potro was able to pick

him off on the passing shot. Really, three unforced errors and one good

point from Del Potro and he's three unforced errors and one good

plays in the semifinal? I'm not sure. Obviously he has a huge

history against Federer. They've had some of the amazing match-ups we've

talked about. Does he think Federer is not playing so well so maybe he's

got a chance of rolling him over to get to the final? I don't know.

He's so good mentally, you's going to concentrate on the things he can

control, and that is his preparation and performance. -- he's going to.

Swearing in one of his five languages there!

This is a bit like David Ferrer yesterday. Most unusual.

And the biggest distraction for him is his play.

Having said that, he's got to keep in touch. Can't afford to

Well, at least he did there what he didn't do in the first set, which is

holed his serve. Almost crisis motivation seems to get him going.

And people will say, how can you not get going in an arena like this, a

match like this? Let's answer the question. Well, he is going. It's

not that he's not trying. It is just the concentration and clarity of

thought when he is playing these points. Should he have a coach,

then? He has let several go. points. Should he have a coach,

it is a bit like when we talk about the drop shot, when he is hitting

the slice forehand on coming to the net. He has got to ingrain the

better habits again on the practice court and he hasn't really had the

opportunities. He has talked about how some of the practice sessions

are being curtailed with the back issues he has had over the year. But

for me, this is where, irrespective of what happens in this match, this

off-season for Federer is going to be very important for him to get

back to the basics, work on his game and try to improve. Because if you

have -- you have to keep improving. He has got to get the consistency

back in his serve. He can still cover the net better. Volley better.

Got away with that one! That was a terrible drop shot.

You can always be a little bit grateful with some help from your

opponent. Del Potro making a couple of unforced errors, here are some

points for Federer. Are you still working out to the

crowd wants to win? No matter who he plays, they want him to win. When he

has won the Wimbledons that he has, and he has given the memories, he

deserves support. It is just the way he plays.

Perhaps the next two Wimbledons or three, you know at some point he has

got to get a run going. The crowd will not let him loose. Until

Need a crash helmet when you come in against that, look at that, in 11

straight points! Trying to back off from hitting right at him there.

pretty hard to take an idea out of thin air as to what is happening

next. There are a lot of swings and roundabouts. It looked like Del

Potro was looking to stamp his authority, and then 12 points in a

row, suddenly he sits down serving 3-4. I think that is what we have

not seen from Federer for so many years, it is this fluctuation. We

have been privileged to watch him playing at such a consistently high

level and all of a sudden, he still plays his moment of brilliance but

there have been some big dip in there as well.

You know when they watch themselves on the big screen here? Do you think

there is any advantage to be gained, if that's come up? Would

seeing stats, gained, if that's come up? Would

if a statistic came up that said, he does not ever win a point on the

second serve? You would not get confident. You would roll couple of

first be back in! This match does not feel like it has

been about statistics at all. Statistics just give you a pattern.

They are too often the refuge of scoundrels. Actions speak louder

than words. A couple of solid first serve their

from Del Potro. Federer just throwing in something

different at the end of the game. Just to throw Del Potro afterward

will bet, throw caution to the wind. Here is a really important game.

When you deal with adversity, you need all your mental energy. And

these boys haven't got all their mental energy after 11 months of

this year. Us on a knife edge. racket. After being all things for

all people for so long, you think, cannot be bothered any more. He was

already out of it, he had lost his opening matches. And he said that

with these two, both punchy. I do, they are both on the edge, they have

had their good moments and their tricky moments. At this stage in the

second set, this stage of the match, it can really turn on a couple of

points. A decent hold from love-15 from Federer. No Davis Cup final

this year for these players. That will feature Serbia in Belgrade

against the Czech Republic, led by Tomas Berdych. So Djokovic has some

work to do. I mean, he has had the most stunning time since the U.S.

Open. most stunning time since the U.S.

Barclays ATP World Tour finals. It will be one of these two.

Excellent work from Del Potro. Federer will feel he should have got

the ball over his head but that was lovely work. It is good speed and

good control. This shot, he just dropped it back at Federer's deep

and he was a little bit casual. Who knew it was going to be worked over

so he got his racket up. You used to do that! It is a nice

tactic, getting Del Potro out of his comfort zone, making him move

forward, he had to come to the net. He needed to do a little bit more

with the passing shot. Big body serve, 130 miles an hour,

that is his most improved shot over the last few years, Del Potro. He

has put muscle on. It already comes down from, he is six foot six high

plus the long answer it comes from eight tough angle.

Could have been out of this match, Del Potro had a break of serve in

the second set. Federer climbed back into it with 12 straight points. And

now it is even Stevens. It is going to be moved from somebody at some

point here. Who to be moved from somebody at some

zone, there are so many activities here. Quarter of a million people

here to enjoy the tennis. What has been the match of the week so far,

tennis wise? The Dow has been sensational, also Djokovic. They

have stood out. Rafael Nadal and Stanislas Wawrinka for me, I was

impressed with Wawrinka. He has never won a set, match or tie-break

against founder Dell, he really -- against Rafael Nadal. He threw

everything at it. Federer and Djokovic before this?

The winner of this plays Rafael Nadal.

The winner of this plays Rafael Please join us. Del Potro looking to

stay in the set now. Caught in two minds there, Del

Potro. Oh, the defensive lob was

magnificent! Just brushed Federer prepared to get dirty on

this point, that was a lunch. -- a lunge.

To get! -- to good! Federer wanted more work on those slices. If you

leave it in the middle of the court, he is just going to smack it.

OK, it was called out. Second serve, though.

Well done, Del Potro, for finding the court, but come on, Federer. The

delay normally upsets the person who is serving. Bad luck. Second serve,

89 miles an hour, little of the box, Federer chipped it back into

the net. You are kidding! How is that for

defence? It was attacked, he hit a winner!

defence? It was attacked, he hit a wins, we are heading through to a

deciding set. So who do you fancy? Your choice! Federer!

Talked about how they played in the last two weeks, the final in Paris

and Basel. Del Potro winning in Basel, won the tie there. In Paris,

a shoot out. The last five minutes, we have seen

real lunges at the net. He is throwing it all here.

He didn't go one side or the other, he went straight at the big man who

could not control the body. The Swiss maestro welkin control of this

tie-break now. -- well in control. Two service holds at 5-2 and the set

is his. That is page one of the Federer

Handbook, big serve out wide, forehand away and four setpoints.

We are going the distance here. Federer, a set and a break down, has

fought back. One-sided tie-breaker and we are looking forward to the

finitely. One set all. SUE BARKER: just when you think it

is all over for Federer, he seems to find another gear and a little bit

of brilliance to prove everyone wrong. 17,000 people here in the O2

arena are delighted this is going the distance, they are thoroughly

enjoying this contest, the distance, they are thoroughly

Three, because we are moving away from BBC Two for the final. 7:30pm

on BBC Three. No surprise that this has gone to three sets, because of

their history, we are in for a real treat. I think you could have a

fourth cup of tea coming your way! He has already got his fourth cup of

tea! It will be five! It is beginners luck. Watching tennis so

many years, certainly the most elegant shotmaker I have ever seen

is Roger Federer. But to win all the titles that he has, it is the

ability to fight when the chips are down which is often hidden by the

deep shotmaking. You played him when he was probably 17 or 18 or 19? Do

you remember your first time? he was probably 17 or 18 or 19? Do

when he won a second set tie-break, how much it means to him and how

hard he will fight. One area that I have been very impressed with is his

forays to the net. He has been to the net is 20 times in the match and

he has won 17 of those points. And some of that has been superb volley

technique at times, not just the quality of approach, though that is

a big part of it. But he has been prepared to come up and lunge and

fight. Doesn't want to be sticking around the baseline to much of the

time. Avoiding the pressure from Del Potro. And from that early set in

the start, he had some unforced winners and now 26 winners, 22

unforced errors. winners and now 26 winners, 22

to win the breaker, so it is a set all and one set to decide the

semifinal place. Goes about his business, doesn't he,

Juan Martin? Walks really slowly. A language roll around the court. But

then the points start and there is an intensity to his movement. -- a

languid. The slice has been effective today and there's been

variety on it. Perhaps the topspin... It has been there to hit,

hasn't Important games early in the third

set. Both players will be looking to try

to gain an advantage early on. Federer was down two breaks in the

first set. A while before he woke up.

Just not there. They tend to follow patterns. Here we go again. Federer

just not engaging from the word go. But unfortunately for Federer, the

pattern that repeats itself is when he makes one unforced error, he then

makes two, three, four. Not doing a great deal, Del Potro... Normally

when you break Federer's serve, you've got to get two or three

winners. UMPIRE: Mr Del Potro is challenging

the call. She wasn't hanging her head there, was she? A bit of a

stair from Roger. Nasty as well. She didn't do it on purpose.

You see, that is what happens, and that is what Roger is talking to the

lines lady about. He gets a first serve again. But this is pretty

unusual for Federer. And not very nice.

That is clean hitting of serve. -- to back up. In 2009,

you went one better as a finalist. -- he went. Robin Soderling.

Del Potro has been here before. He's no inexperienced young player.

But he's going to have to maintain his concentration here. Del Potro

has hit two winners and one unforced error. But he is up 3-0,

The winner of this match to play Rafa Nadal in a blockbuster tomorrow

on BBC Two at 2pm. The final is on at 7:30pm on Monday, BBC Three.

Monday evening, the final of this tournament.

People behind the server's shoulder just making their way in, so the

players waiting. And even though they are in the dark in the

audience, the players will see movement.

And now the comeback begins. You think? Want to put another cup of

tea on it? I thought I've got Del Potro to win this match? Oh, yes.

For once I feel happy with my decision! We will see in ten minutes

time. The power, just reached up, looked

this one back. -- hooked. Juan Martin Del Potro's coach will

be taking anything for granted at the moment. -- will not be.

Potro, getting that shop act. -- that shot back.

And some people want to move this tournament away from London...

Federer didn't realise they had to change ends! That is getting old or

right! Engrossed in the task. He must have realised he had broken

serve! Engrossed in the task or on absolute automatic pilot? They say

it's process, not outcome. You've got to play the point

it's process, not outcome. You've a bit far. He will realise he's have

these chances and opportunities to win the match and he is still out

there hour and 54 minutes, back on serve. -- and our -- an hour. But

then he upped his game, Federer, cuts out the unforced errors. And

then descending like a demon on the backhand side. That is committing an

digging, isn't it? Eking deep. OK... Hush Mac digging deep.

That's a big miss. Kicking serve to the line. But Del Potro would be

very disappointed with that. I'm surprised she can lift her left

hand, with that what on it! -- that rock! That was a dangerous place to

come in. Nadal has been on this court

accepting his trophy for being number one ranking. And the player

of the year. He will be watching this to see who

will be his semifinal player. A bruising contest now. Two hours.

Federer winning 92% of first serve points won. 11 out of 12 for the

first and one out of eight for the second. Indeed. A vital seventh.

bruising contest now. Two hours. That is well handled, Del Potro!

Showed some techniques on that backhand, goodness me. The

background was wonderful there. You cannot do much more than that with

those. Very tidy. It was a fairly noncommittal call

out, she did not correct herself on the baseline. In the third game,

Federer in exactly the same position. He saw an ace fly by him.

And Del Potro will have a first serve here. It was a different lines

lady. He has lost his fair share of the

long, He has lost his fair share of the

Wimbledon, the longest semifinal in history. And the Olympic Games, 3-6,

7-6, 19-17. And the people that beat him in those marathon matches went

on to compete against Andy Murray in those important finals for British

tennis. You just wonder if it is his turn to win one of these things at

some point. He has a very fine hold of serve from Love 15, from Del

Potro. Is there any conscious thought in those changeovers or do

you just that time pass and come out? It is important that you are

concentrating on that game plan. It is important in every tournament how

important the first point is, that is what they will be focused all

on. The server, Once you have placed the point like

that, though you focus on the second point. A big kick out wide? With the

forehand. That was a real working 99 mile in

our second serve. Into the body, going through the courts with some

muscle. message to Del Potro. The crowd are

sending a message to Roger. Oh, yes, just too good. That is a

fantastic response. It is not always easy to generate this much power

when the ball is not coming too quickly. But total commitment. And

down, love 15 and for all. It is a big shot.

To lose a first point as he did, in spectacular fashion, actually, but

be the best point in the match with the exhibition point between the

legs and come back and hit clean the exhibition point between the

position? It was a spectacular point. And when Federer hit this

shot past him, he would have really been sensing his opportunity.

Evidence of this fantastic athletic ability, and the work he has put in

as well, from Federer. Staying down, his weight is so low. Driving

through the wall. Players will practice this little bit, especially

nowadays. He meant that shot. He certainly did. I've seen Nadal do it

on clay, he has done it straight back over. Della macro we have seen

Federer hit a couple of winners between the legs. I have seen some

players do it five times in a point. But to

players do it five times in a point. 2pm on Sunday. Del Potro is just

four points away. Good disguise, set up as if he is

going to rip the forehand. Such a good serve, Del Potro was

backtracking to give himself more time and that opened up the

forecourt. Federer does not like to serve with

a fresh racket for new balls, so he's changing his racket. One game

before the new balls. What about the 25 seconds between points, when I go

to have to come out and serve? There is no doubt Del Potro has got

to be a little bit fatigued. Can Federer really work him over with

the forehand, getting going side to side, give himself the opportunity

to move forward's 21 of 28 points he has won at the net.

Strong to the forehand to open up the backhand.

Federer gets the ledger, of a play on the second return of serve,

Federer gets the ledger, of a play this match, almost at all. He seems

to have been playing from hide every step of the way. Not until has there

been a crisis has he produced his best tennis and he has gone with

instinct. When he has played with instinct he has looked wonderful,

like the Federer old. The bottom line is, he is serving for a place

in the semifinal with Nadal, he will love that. He has given himself the

opportunity as you say, he got to a horrendous start, he was down 5-1,

was down a break in the second set, managed to squeak out the tie-break.

3-0 down in the third set. Now he has given himself the opportunity

but this thing is not over. He has got to go out there as he has done

in this match, stay in the present. It is a funny thing with new tennis

balls. If the server can get the first strike in with the serve, they

can go through a bit quicker. If they don't do that, it comes

having a quick look to text, and my word, that is the worst challenge of

all time! To make grants to Federer's strike

was good, but to produce something of it, magnificent. Are we going to

a deciding set tie-breaker? Break point.

Federer has not made a first serve to the juice box. Does he know one

wide? He has that option. It is a go to

and the crowd rise as Roger Federer produces something a little bit

special, and you can see the emotion on his face.

He is the oldest man in this eight-man field, he was playing the

young guests today. -- the youngest today. Only once has Federer come to

the season-ending championships and failed to make the semi-final, this

was close. But he will get through. Juan Martin Del

was close. But he will get through. recover, in the 22 hours or so that

he has got, he could give Nadal and encounter tomorrow. I am so looking

forward to that. How do you pick numbers out of a

contest like that? The biggest numbers, two hours and 26. Will that

stay in macroFederer's legs? SUE BARKER: what a match that was,

it had everything. Federer will be delighted, he will go to sleep happy

at wake up in the morning though he he has got to face Rafael Nadal, we

will have coverage of that at 2pm on ABC to tomorrow.

will have coverage of that at 2pm on a few fans hearts fluttering! A lot

of ways to win a tennis match, this one, come from behind, how tough is

it to climb back into a match like this? Pretty tough, especially

against Del Potro. There was a lot of coming from behind, trying to get

back into the match. It was amazing I was able to pull it off because he

got a good start in each of the sets. I could never really play

free-flowing tennis like I would have liked to if I was in the lead.

I fought hard, maybe I got lucky at times but I gave it all my hard and

it was great that I got to the finish line. I am very happy. You

guys seem to have a rivalry going out. The last seven times, it has

come down to a deciding set, Paris last week, that makes a

difference. But one guy has got to win, there are no draws in tennis.

That is the beauty of this sport. Always a winner. I thought he did

very well this whole season and it was a pleasure play against him

today, and unfortunately one guy had to win. When you are playing out

there and there is so much going on, can you feel that support? And you

feel this crowd that was behind you? Of course! Sure. I get asked very

often these days what I think of the crowds around the world,

particularly here in London. And it is always crazy, nice playing in

front of you guys. So thank you. Well, back into the semifinals, you

have got a Well, back into the semifinals, you

don't even have a day off, I have got to back it up tomorrow, I am

ready to go and I am looking forward to a great match with him. He is

tough, as we know, he has had one of the great seasons we have seen in

tennis and he has just received the world number one trophy again for

the third time, so congratulations to him and I will try to make his

life a little bit difficult tomorrow, see what happens. Roger

Federer, congratulations. SUE BARKER: well done to Roger, he

will be back tomorrow, Federer against Nadal. The rugby is coming

up, we will leave you with Del Potro's music, no surrender.

Goodbye.