Cincinnati Masters - Novak Djokovic vs. Juan Martin Del Potro (18:00 BST)

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Novak Djokovic (credit: Nick Laham/AFP/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic takes on Juan Martin Del Potro this afternoon in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters (18:00 BST start).

Del Potro’s recent performances have been superb, and all of a sudden it looks like he might be a genuine contender for this year’s US Open. Having recently won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Argentine made the final four in Cincinnati having played as well as anyone else in the draw at the very least.

He cruised into the semi-finals on Friday with a crushing 6-1 6-3 victory over French lucky loser Jeremy Chardy.

"I think I'm in a good level at the moment after the Olympics," said Del Potro, who is now potentially just two matches shy of notching up his fiftieth win of the season.

"I have confidence to play against all the players. But anyway I'm still feeling a little difference between the top players and me. But I know I'm getting closer very slowly, so that's important. I'm working for that."

Del Potro will get another chance to test himself against the best today, as he’s set to meet world No. 2 Djokovic in the first match on Center Court today.

Djokovic earned his place in the semi-finals by recording a straightforward 6-3 6-2 win over twelfth seed Marin Cilic on Friday.

"It was my best match so far in this tournament," Djokovic said afterwards.

Djokovic holds a 4-2 head-to-head record against Del Potro but has lost his last two matches against the former US Open champion. One defeat came by virtue of retirement, and the most recent of these losses occurred a few weeks ago in the Olympic bronze medal match in London.

This could be close and could go either way.

Prediction: Del Potro in three.

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