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Del Potro blasts into final

Sydney - World number five Juan Martin del Potro powered his way into his first Sydney International final with a straight sets demolition of Dmitry Tursunov on Friday.

Del Potro had his big serve firing as he rolled to a 6-4, 6-2 win over the Russian fourth seed in 64 minutes.

Del Potro, the top seed, will face either Australian defending champion Bernard Tomic or Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky in Saturday's decider.

The first Argentine to reach the Sydney final since David Nalbandian in 2009, del Potro broke Tursunov's serve three times and was formidable on his own service.

He thundered down nine aces, making it 38 aces in his three wins so far in Sydney.

It will be his 25th career final and he is looking to step up for his second major title since downing Roger Federer to win the 2009 US Open in New York.

"It is one of my biggest challenges for this season," he said.

"I was close to reaching last year's Wimbledon final when I lost to Novak Djokovic in a great five-set semi-final but I think I am getting closer to the top four guys.

"They are still playing so well and they are the favourites for every Grand Slam, but I have the experience in this kind of tournament and if I play well, if I'm fit and healthy I will try to be dangerous for them."

Del Potro was drawn on Friday in world number one Rafael Nadal's top quarter of the men's singles draw for next week's Australian Open in Melbourne, and will play a qualifier first up.

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