Ram shocks Dimitrov to reach Delray Beach final

U.S. wildcard Tim Smyczek rallied to upset United States seventh seed Donald Young 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, setting up a quarter-final matchup against another compatriot, Sam Querrey.

It was not to be a dream end for Juan Martin Del Potro, as he bowed out of the ATP Delray Beach Open in the semi-finals, but it was more than just a tournament for the Tower of Tandil.

He will now face Rajeev Ram after the American got the better of Benjamin Becker in three sets, winning 3-6 6-4 6-3. It was called good, but Ram instantly challenged.

The title, which earned Querrey $86,950, was the eighth of his career and first since Los Angeles in 2012.

Querrey had failed to advance past the second round of any tournament since last July until reaching last week’s Memphis semi-finals.

Del Potro has been plagued with injury problems throughout his career.

“I felt calm from the start because I had a game plan going in to make sure I was on the offensive”, said Ram, who – regardless of what happens in the final – will rise to a career-high ranking in the top 70.

Ram was serving at 4-5, 40-15 when he gift-wrapped the first set to Querrey on a rash of backhand errors and an ill-advised net rush that resulted in a low backhand volley into the twine. Two Frenchmans, former player Sebastian Grosjean and Jeremy Chardy also had something to say about Del Potro.’He is still a big name, he has a huge potential and it’s good to see him back on court’ told Grosjean. But the 31-year-old Carmel, Indiana, resident lost four straight points and gave away the set with a stab forehand long off Querrey’s inside-out forehand return that landed on the sideline.

“I think this week I more than won the tournament”, said del Potro, who confirmed that he will be playing the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells next month. Ram went up an early break in the second set, but Querrey hit a backhand victor down the line to break back to level at 2-2 and they battled into the tie-breaker.