Win puts Nadal in Djokovic’s sights

The Serbian toppled his Argentinian opponent 6-1 3-6 7-6 (7/3) for his seventh ATP crown of the year, giving his hopes of overhauling Rafael Nadal for the end-of-year world No 1 spot a slight boost.

Djokovic dominated the 34-minute first set, breaking the Del Potro serve in games two and four, and at that point looked firmly in control.

However, Del Potro responded well in the second set and stormed into a 3-0 lead thanks to a string of stunning winners. He then overcame a 40-love deficit in game seven by winning five straight points and went on to close out the set by holding to love.

Del Potro saved two match points at 5-4 in the decider to force the tie-break, but world 
No 2 Djokovic held his nerve and clinched his 12th consecutive match win with a backhand winner down the line.

Del Potro, who booked his place at next month’s ATP World Tour Finals in London by beating Nadal in the semi-final on Saturday, was disappointed to see his eight-match winning streak come to an end but found kind words for his opponent.

He said: “The match was really close and I think Nole (Djokovic) played some unbelievable points in the tie-break.

“The match was so exciting. At Wimbledon we played another fantastic match against each other. It’s a really bad loss for me now. I was really close to beating him after beating Nadal.”

Djokovic was equally gracious in victory after securing his 15th Masters 1000 title.

“I have to start by congratulating Del Potro and his team for the fantastic week,” the 26-year-old said on court after receiving the trophy. “You’re a great person and even a better player, I’m sorry that you lost. You deserve this trophy equally.”

He added later: “He’s a fantastic player and a great person. He showed that again.

“He has a really likeable personality and he’s a big fighter. All the way up to the last point, I didn’t know if I was going to win the match. It was a very even match.

“My motivation is there always, especially when I’m playing finals of such a big event.”

Former world No 1 Roger Federer, meanwhile, has split with coach Paul Annacone after three and a half years.

The Swiss has slipped to seventh in the world – his lowest ranking for over a decade – and saw his hopes of reaching next month’s end-of-season ATP World Tour Finals in London dented on Thursday by his third-round exit in Shanghai at the hands of Gael Monfils.

“After a terrific time working together, Paul and I have decided to move on to the next chapter in our professional lives,” said the 32-year-old.

“When we started together we had a vision of a three-year plan to win another grand slam title and get back to the No 1 ranking.

“Along with many other goals and great memories, these two main goals we were able to achieve.”

Federer joined forces with Annacone, the former coach of 14-time major singles winner Pete Sampras, in the summer of 2010, and has since won 13 titles.

However, the 17-time grand slam singles champion has claimed only one trophy this season and felt the time was right for himself and Annacone to go their separate ways.

“After numerous conversations culminating at the end of our most recent training block, we felt like this was the best time and path for both of us,” added Federer.

“Paul remains a dear friend, and we both look forward to continuing our friendship.

“I want to thank Paul for his help and the value he has added to me and my team.”

Third seed Samantha Stosur battled back well from a set down to clinch her fifth WTA Tour title at the expense of fifth seed Eugenie Bouchard at the HP Japan Women’s Open in Osaka.

Nineteen-year-old Canadian Bouchard, competing in her first WTA Tour final, looked to be on course for her first crown when she breezed through to take the first set.

But the 29-year-old Australian got back on level terms after securing the crucial break of serve in game 11 of the second set, and then stormed through the third to claim a deserved 3-6 7-5 6-2 victory.

“Eugenie was playing really well,” said Stosur, who reeled off four straight games – after Bouchard had held her opening service game in the decider – en route to her second Osaka title.

The 2011 US Open champion continued: “I just had to stick it out in the second set, and I’m pretty happy with how things went in the third.

“I love playing here. I love the site and the fans are great – I always feel like I have lots and lots of support when I come to Osaka.”