Del Potro overcomes Dimitrov to retain Stockholm title

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Single Final - Stockholm, Sweden - October 22, 2017. Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina celebrates with the trophy after wining with Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani /via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Fourth seed Juan Martin del Potro put himself in contention for the ATP World Tour Finals when he successfully defended his Stockholm Open title on Sunday, defeating top seed and 2013 champion Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-2.

The Argentine, who secured his first title since he lifted the trophy in Sweden last year, dominated the final with his serve, notching up nine aces and saving all four break points he faced.

Fittingly enough, Del Potro ended the championship with a big serve in the deuce court down the middle, eliciting an error from his opponent. When the ball landed in the net, Del Potro's arms rose in celebration.

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Semi-Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 21, 2017. Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in action against Fernando Verdasco of Spain. TT News Agency/Henrik Montgomery/via REUTERS

“I played the best match of the week against Grigor today. Unlucky for that, sorry Grigor,” Del Potro said. “It’s amazing to come back and hold this big trophy and hopefully I can come next year as well."

Not only did Del Potro capture his 20th ATP World Tour title but he launched himself into contention for the season-ending finals in London next month. The 29-year-old will move up to 14th in the ATP's Race to London with 2,135 points, 470 behind Pablo Carreno Busta who currently occupies the final qualifying spot.

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Semi-Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 22, 2017. Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani/via REUTERS

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Clare Fallon)

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Semi-Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 22, 2017. Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina returns to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani/via REUTERS

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 22, 2017. Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria returns to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani/via REUTERS

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Single Final - Stockholm, Sweden - October 22, 2017. Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina gestures after wining with Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani /via REUTERS

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Semi-Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 21, 2017. Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in action against Fabio Fognini of Italy. TT News Agency/Henrik Montgomery/via REUTERS

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 22, 2017. Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina returns to Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani/via REUTERS

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Semi-Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 21, 2017. Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in action against Fabio Fognini of Italy. TT News Agency/Henrik Montgomery/via REUTERS

Tennis - Stockholm Open - Men Final - Royal Tennis Hall, Stockholm, Sweden - October 22, 2017. Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina pose with a trophy after his win against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani/via REUTERS