October 7, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro defeated Canada’s Milos Raonic 7-6(5), 7-5 to win the 2013 Japan Open and claim his third title of the season. A Japan Open runner-up in 2008, del Porto converted his second match point in the final game, hitting a forehand past Raonic at the net to secure the title. The third-seeded Raonic, who was coming off a win at the Thailand Open last week, hit 17 aces, but came up short in his second straight appearance in the Japan Open final (losing in 2012 to Kei Nishikori).
"I played really well in the last two games of the match," Del Potro said. "I broke his serve and closed out in a fantastic way and hopefully I can keep it going for the rest of the season."
Del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, was a late addition to the tournament after Andy Murray withdrew due to a back injury.
"I decided to come here because I lost early in the U.S. Open and had several weeks off," said Del Potro. "I’m glad I decided to come here."
