in the final to the four time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
At the start of set one with del Potro’s movement and backhand both below their best level, Basilashvili broke serve early to take a 3-2 lead.
Del Potro continued to struggle with his movement and with his backhand slice which proved not as effective as needed as he trailed 3-5.
However serving at 30-0, de Potro struck two aces to hold serve and to reach 4-5.
Then with Basilashvili serving down 15-30, del Potro failed close out the game as Basilashvili struck several powerful forehands to close out the set.
On setpoint, Basilashvili would hit a forceful crosscourt forehand winner to end the set after 45 minutes of play.
After raising the level of his game in set two, del Potro took a 4-3 lead.
However the Argentine could not convert any of three breakpoints as Basilashvili would hold serve after five deuces to level the set at four games all after del Potro committed three baseline errors.
Then serving at 15-30, del Potro netted a backhand down the line to trail 15-40.
Del Potro’s movement problem continued as he struck a forceful forehand down the line which Basilashvili blocked back with a backhand stab crosscourt.
Del Potro then netted a down the line backhand dropshot to drop serve and trail 4-5.
Serving for the match at 15 all, Basilashvili struck a crosscourt forehand winner to lead 30-15.
Del Potro would then save two following match points and reach breakpoint for the second time in the game after striking a crosscourt forehand winner.
However Basilashvili then struck an inside out forehand down the line winner followed by an ace out wide to set up a third match point.
The Georgian hit a backhand down the line which he followed up with a swinging backhand crosscourt volley winner to end the match after one hour and 39 minutes of play.
For the day, del Potro, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, would finish zero for seven in breakpoint chances.
The 34th ranked Basilashvili’s best career grand slam finish came at this year’s US Open where he finished in the fourth round after losing to top ranked Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.
Basilashvili won his lone other ATP Tour title in July as a qualifier in Hamburg at the German Open to become the first ever Georgian tennis player to win an ATP Tour tournament.
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