Juan Martin del Potro was looking to prove form and fitness this afternoon in a fourth-round Wimbledon clash against Andreas Seppi.
The plucky Italian fought hard in the early stages, eventually losing the first set courtesy of a single break from the eighth seed.
Del Potro stepped up the pace from that moment on, cruising to a straight-sets victory and in turn reaching the quarter-finals at SW19 for the first time in his career.
Look back at how the Argentine booked a last-eight meeting with David Ferrer by reading Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage below.
Afternoon Wimbledon fans.Sports Mole's extensive coverage from SW19 continues this afternoon with a fourth-round clash between Juan Martin del Potro and Andreas Seppi.
Del Potro has looked like something resembling his best during swift progress to the last 16, but has never been beyond this stage at Wimbledon. The eighth seed comes up against an in-form Seppi this afternoon, who produced a stunning performance to eliminate Kei Nishikori on Saturday.
With a whole host of seeds crashing out last week Del Potro has to be considered a genuine contender for his second Grand Slam title, but must continue to play his way into form on Court One this afternoon. Seppi will provide the sternest test of his grass-court credentials to date, with a potential quarter-final with Novak Djokovic lying in wait for the winner.
Seppi should not be counter out this afternoon, with the experienced Italian possessing a game that is perhaps best suited to this surface. The world number 28 has built on a strong showing at Eastbourne to reach the fourth round in some style.
INJURY UPDATE! Before we start it must be noted that Del Potro's participation this afternoon was under serious doubt, after a fall in his last match on Saturday. The Argentine has considerable strapping to his knee and after a horrendous run of injuries we will wait to see what shape he is in this afternoon. Fingers crossed for the former US Open champion, who may struggle for mobility early on.
Here we go then on Court One, with the pre-match formalities just about over. Seppi will serve first and it will be interesting to see if he attack's Del Potro to capitalise on his opponent's injury troubles early on.
BREAK POINT! No signs of strain from Del Potro in the early exchanges, moving from side to side in a marathon rally before sending a forehand pass just wide of the sideline. Seppi then makes a sloppy error at the baseline, handing the Argentine an early break-point chance at 30-40.
A nice recovery from Seppi to stave off break point, keeping the ball in play with a wide serve to just about hold his opening service game. Del Potro looked happy to ease his way in at the baseline, so no indication yet on restricted movement caused by that knee injury.
Seppi earns a 15-30 advantage with a successful challenge after catching Del Potro out with a superb lob to the baseline. The Argentine smacks a fierce first serve in to restore parity, before stepping inside to hammer a forehand pass across court.
Another crushing Del Potro serve earns the Argentine an early hold, with the eighth seed wasting no time in finding his range at the baseline.
Creative play from Seppi gets rewarded as a drop shot falls just over the net with spin and swerve. Del Potro just pulled up to end the chase inside early there, perhaps unsure if that left knee can take the strain. That point makes it 30-30 on the Italian's serve.
A second service game is barely watched by a Court One crowd enthralled by the score coming from Centre Court. Defending women's champion Serena Williams has been knocked out by Sabine Lisicki, drawing a raised eyebrow from Del Potro as he looks across at the screen. Still on serve here early in the first set.
Del Potro slams a clinical ace down the middle to quickly atone for an unforced error at the baseline. Seppi then uses a terrific backhand up the line to force deuce, with another extended rally going the Italian's way.
BREAK POINT! A magnificent backhand shot on the run earns Seppi break point, gliding past the considerable presence of Del Potro at the net.
Del Potro responds with raw power at the baseline, stepping inside to save break point despite a relatively sloppy second serve. Seppi then lets a chance slip as his return drops short of the net, just about keeping this first set on sere.
Seppi gets caught inside the baseline by a clubbing return from Del Potro, who builds a 15-30 advantage on the Italian's serve with another measured return.
Delicate touch at the net earns Del Potro break point at 30-40, with a clever drop shot catching Seppi off guard. The Italian responds strongly though, forcing Del Potro off balance at the baseline for deuce.
Del Potro fails to capitalise after a net call goes his way, spurning two break-point chances with a sliced forehand at the baseline. Seppi then gets creative at the net, wrong-footing his opponent with a clever chip down the line after reading an early drop shot.
Both players are just easing there way into the match, with a worrying lack of urgency on both sides of the court. Thankfully Del Potro looks pretty comfortable on that damaged knee, serving with usual precision in his latest service game.
The Argentine keeps this first on serve despite some welcome pressure from Seppi, who looks full of confidence at the net this afternoon.
Del Potro wastes a challenge as he questions a forehand that had clearly drifted well beyond the baseline, but quickly recovers to establish a 15-30 lead. Seppi then gets a reprieve as the eighth seed sends a stray slice backhand wide of the line, bringing the Italian level at 30-30.
BREAK POINT! A break-point chance goes begging for Del Potro after another wayward effort at the baseline, but Seppi catches a forehand pass poorly in the next point to lose the initiative once more.
BREAK! A very poor effort Seppi at break-point down, slamming a forehand low into the net under little pressure. Without really breaking sweat Del Potro takes control of the first set and should now start to settle down on Court One.
An excellent lob from Seppi helps him battle back from 40-0 down but the effort is still in vain, with Del Potro easily chasing down a short drop shot to consolidate that break of serve. Encouragingly for the eighth seed he looks comfortable putting weight on that troublesome left knee, and will now force Seppi to serve for his place in the first set.
Seppi is being forced to dig deep on serve, just about surviving in a lengthy baseline exchange to edge ahead at 40-30. A first serve with terrific width gets the Italian out of trouble at deuce though, forcing Del Potro to serve out the opening set.
SET POINTS! Del Potro moves to within two poinrs of the first set before chasing down a short return with a ruthless forehand pass across court. 40-15 and a couple of set points for the eighth seed.
SET! A second ace smacked down the middle proves enough for Del Potro, earning the first set at the second time of asking. A single break proved enough in a solid effort from the Argentine, who has shown little sign of the injury scare that threatened his participation in this afternoon's match.
You feel that Seppi has to hold on and find a way to respond early in this second set and he starts brightly, edging a superb exchange at the net with a forehand volley. Del Potro is quick to respond though, crushing a venomous forehand return into the corner.
BREAK POINT! Seppi digs deep to survive at break-point down, escaping unpunished as Del Potro slams a sloppy shot straight at the net under little pressure.
A good challenge sees Seepi hold firm under relative pressure, but Del Potro definitely lacked urgency and as a result saw that chance slip from his grasp. Still on serve then very early in the second set.
Raw power all over the court helps Del Potro complete a routine hold of serve to love, with Seppi unable to keep successive first serves in play. More solid stuff from the eighth seed, who you sense could take this match up a level if required.
BREAK POINTS! By quite some distance Del Potro has just produced the best shot of the match so far. On the run deep at the baseline he sent a curling forehand pass down the line, evading Seppi's desperate dive to earn two break points at 15-40.
Under pressure a quite impressive show of spirit from Seppi, who gets enough depth on a pair of first serves to force successive mistakes from Del Potro. Four points won in a row are enough to earn a hold that was absolutely imperative to the Italian's chances of a comeback.
Seppi responds from an untimely slip in the very next point, beating Del Potro with a clever forehand across court. The Argentine bites back with a precise backhand though, building a 30-15 lead on serve.
The Argentine survives a spell of pressure on serve to hold, finishing up with an attacking dart at the net. Del Potro has always possessed neat touch for a tall player in those positions and made light work of a volley down the line to keep the second set on serve.
An encouragingly easy hold for Seppi as he keeps pace in the second set, letting just a single point slip. The Italian is a fine player with neat touch but perhaps just lacks the power or guile to operate at the highest level.
Seppi lets out an anguished groan after failing to catch a simple forehand at the line. A fine recovery in the next point soon improves his mood though, following width with a precise volley to level Del Potro's latest service game at 30-30.
The Italian lets a chance slip after failing to produce more heroics at the net, allowing Del Potro to ease through another service game. Both players are yet to show any real urgency in this second set, seemingly happy to play out routine holds and wait for an opportunity to present itself.
BREAK POINT! At 30-30 Seppi shows sign of strain of serve, crashing a double fault into the net. He quickly recovers though with aggression under pressure, following a short lob into the net to smash an overhead down the line.
A first ace of the match helps Seppi come through an awkward service game, with Del Potro unable to seize the initiative after a slight slip at the baseline. Can the Italian use that escape as a springboard to claim this second set?
Once again Del Potro is allowed to hold all to easily, with solid if unspectacular play behind a strong first serve. Seppi is a willing runner but just can't put consistent pressure on his opponent.
A worrying string of rushed shots from Del Potro hands Seppi a comfortable hold deep into the second set. The Italian built a 40-15 lead on serve, finishing the game with an effective wide serve. Del Potro now needs a hold to stay alive in the second set, let's see if Seppi can finally put the eighth seed under pressure when it counts.
When it counts the Argentine shows stubborn resistance, keeping the second set firmly on serve. At this rate a tie breaker seems inevitable, but perhaps Seppi will just start to feel the pressure in his next service game.
A brilliant rally just goes Del Potro's way, thanks to a hooked forehand pass squeezed up the line by the eighth seed. A deft lob from Seppi then catches his opponent off guard, helping the Italian establish a 40-15 lead.
Ace number three keeps Seppi firmly in the hunt, giving Del Potro some cause for concern. The Argentine must maintain composure and hold serve to force a tie breaker, with very little to choose between the two players in the last 30 minutes.
Seppi takes a worrying fall at the baseline as his legs give way. The Italian fell awkwardly and almost twisted both ankles as he lost grip at the back of the court, returning to his feet just in time for Del Potro to hold with a ferocious forehand down the line. A tie-breaker is now required to settle this second set.
Two quick unforced errors from Seppi hand Del Potro a 2-0 advantage in the breaker, with the eighth seed easing further ahead at 3-0 thanks to another forehand drifting long from the Italian.
Del Potro takes charge of the breaker with a punishing serve and forehand counter-punch, moving 5-1 ahead at the change of ends. It looks like all Seppi's hard work to keep pace in the second set will ultimately end in more disappointment.
SET POINTS! A superb forehand volley at the net moved Del Potro 5-2 ahead, with the aggressive play earning the eighth seed four set points. Seppi has cracked under the pressure, lining up his next serve on the wrong side of the court before swapping sides.
SET! Del Potro moves two sets ahead with a confident, assured showing to take the breaker with minimum fuss. Seppi looks extremely frustrated at his performance in the tie-break and now needs a five-set comeback to stay alive at SW19.
Seppi has come from two-sets down on four occasions in his career, but will need a genuinely heroic effort to respond now. Del Potro needs to maintain concentration and keep the errors to a minimum, barring a catastrophe that will be enough to earn a quarter-final place.
The unforced errors are really costing Seppi dear now, helping Del Potro start the third set with a hold to love. Effective stuff from the Argentine on serve, putting all the pressure on his beleaguered opponent.
BREAK POINTS! Just signs that Seppi's will has been broken in his opening service game of the third set. A pair of unforced errors send him 0-40 down, giving Del Potro three chances to get the early break.
BREAK! A purposeful return does the trick for Del Potro, who comes on strong at the baseline to earn a timely break. Seppi just can't quite live with the Argentine's power in crucial points, leaving his chances of miraculous comeback looking very slim indeed.
Imperious stuff from Del Potro on serve, slamming a huge strike down the line for a 40-0 lead. Seppi hangs on at 40-30 in a welcome show of resistance, using a challenge to reverse a call from the line judge. A 125mph serve ends that hope of a break though, extending Del Potro's advantage to 3-0 in the third set.
Seppi just looks to have relaxed a touch with the pressure off, smacking an impressive forehand down the line to evade a dive at the net from Del Potro. A fifth ace sends the Italian 40-0 ahead, with a sloppy slice backhand from Del Potro helping Seppi finally get off the mark in this third set.
Del Porto keeps his considerable advantage intact with nice variety on serve, slicing a clever effort down the line for a 4-1 lead in the third set. Seppi went for his shots in that game, but a flat forehand effort ended his ambition after slamming into the net.
Del Potro quickly has sight of a double break at 15-30 after a sloppy second serve from Seppi. The Italian responds well with a strong effort down the middle on first serve, levelling his latest service game in the process.
BREAK POINT! Brave resistance from Seppi at 30-40 behind, keeping a lengthy baseline rally alive and forcing Del Potro to make an unforced error on his backhand side.
That was a gutsy hold for Seppi, who could have quite easily wilted with the odds stacked against him in the third set. Del Potro has rarely been troubled on serve though and needs just two more games to clinch this match in straight sets.
The eighth edges 40-0 ahead in his latest service game with supreme touch at the net, carving a clever backhand volley down the line. A seventh ace bombed down the line helps Del Potro forget a sloppy volley in the previous point, with a 5-2 advantage helping the Argentine laugh off a rare error.
The Italian helps delay the inevitable with a welcome hold, taking advantage as Del Potro decides to stay deep at the baseline. A fourth double fault threatened to put Seppi in trouble, but a quick backhand winner means that Del Potro must serve the match out.
MATCH POINTS! One last chance for Seppi but he makes a mistake after superb approach play, sending a forehand volley well wide of the line. Del Potro smacks a supreme ace up the middle to move 30-0 love ahead, before earning three match points with an overhead smash.
Seppi is at least going out in style, somehow saving the first match point with an angled winner that crept just over the net.
Make that three match point spurned for Del Potro, who makes a pair on uncharacteristic unforced errors to level this potentially decisive service game at deuce.
MATCH POINT! Seppi is refusing to lie down, sending a sublime forehand down the line to earn break point. A ferocious first serve from Del Potro in the next point sends us back to deuce quickly, with the Argentine earning match point number four in the same fashion.
GAME SET AND MATCH! Del Porto eases through a tricky service game to close out the match at the fourth time of asking. No signs of injury worries there for the eighth seed, who moves into a Wimbledon quarter-final for the first time in his career.
Del Potro will now advance to meet David Ferrer in the quarter-finals, what a match that promises to be. Seppi put up a strong fight in the early stages, but just could not live with the Argentine's considerable power as the match progressed.
In the end a routine win for Del Potro then, with the eighth seed yet to drop a set in the tournament. Thanks for following the match with Sports Mole and good afternoon!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
