Del Potro back in the hunt

Del Potro: Hard-fought win

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Juan Martin Del Potro kept hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals alive with a tense three-set victory over Fernando Verdasco in London.

The Argentinian bounced back from his opening Group A defeat to Andy Murray with a gutsy 6-4 3-6 7-6 (7-1) victory over the Spaniard inside the O2 Arena.

Verdasco is now all-but eliminated from the event at the earliest stage after crashing to two defeats from his first two pool matches.

The round robin clash was the first ever Tour meeting between the players and provided a fascinating mix of power and finesse.

Rallied

Del Potro started the stronger, a wayward forehand from Verdasco paving the way for the US Open champion to claim the first break in the third game.

The fifth seed served superbly throughout the remainder of the set and only offered Verdasco two opportunities to break back, both coming in the final game of the set.

The Spaniard failed to take his chances however, and Del Potro clinched the opener 6-4 in 39 minutes.

Spurred on by another large crowd inside the O2 Arena, Verdasco rallied in the second set and began to show glimpses of his finest form.

The 26-year-old from Madrid converted the only break point on offer to either player in the penultimate game of the second set, and the classy southpaw levelled the match by serving out to love.

But both players saved their best tennis for the final set as the crowd witnessed an epic encounter unfolding in front of them.

Verdasco's first double fault of the match presented Del Potro with three opportunities to break, and the 'Tandil Tower' needed all three before striking courtesy of a correct challenge.

Errors

The Argentinian forced his first match point against the serve when leading 5-2, however Verdasco dug deep to ensure Del Potro must serve out the match.

But the 21-year-old produced his worst game of the afternoon, reeling off a string of unforced errors as Verdasco broke back.

Del Potro regrouped in the tie-breaker though, Verdasco winning just a single point before crashing to his 13th successive defeat to a top 10 player.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Del Potro said: "I can't win easy, I always play three sets but I am very happy.

"He's (Verdasco) very strong, he's athletic, he made some very good shots. I got a little lucky in the vital moments but I got through."