Former champion del Potro roars into second round
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[August 31, 2016]
By Larry Fine
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former U.S. Open
champion Juan Martin del Potro looms as a danger man at the U.S.
Open after barreling into the second round in straight sets over
fellow Argentine Diego Schwartzman on Tuesday.
Plagued by a serious wrist injury that handicapped him since his
rousing five-set win over Roger Federer in the 2009 U.S. Open final,
del Potro returned to form at the Rio Olympics, where he reached the
finals before falling to Andy Murray.
The 6-foot-6 (1.98 m) Argentine backed up his impressive Rio run by
rifling in 11 aces in eliminating Schwartzman, claiming the
third-set tiebreaker 7-3.
"I am so glad to be part of this tournament once again after three
years," said del Potro, who was given a wild card to join the main
draw and said he was lifted by the crowd support.
"Always, in every match here at the U.S. Open, the crowd make me
feels special. I really like the atmosphere down there."
Del Potro said he was still feeling the effects of his efforts in
Rio, where he ousted world number one Novak Djokovic in the first
round and number five Rafa Nadal in the semi-finals before losing to
second-ranked Murray in four sets in the final.
"To be honest, I'm still feeling tired," said del Potro.
"It's not easy after a big, big challenge like I did in Rio. But
this tournament is very special for me. I'm trying to keep calm, to
keep focused, and look forward to go far.
"The people in Argentina, in my hometown, they know what (I) have
been through to get there after my surgeries. It was a special
moment for me. They really appreciate what I did to come back on
tennis. They are proud to see me playing tennis again."
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Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina returns a shot to Diego
Schwartzman of Argentina (not pictured) on day two of the 2016 U.S.
Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis
Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Del Potro said he was close to quitting the game.
"After the first surgery, the second one, and in the end the third
one, it was really, really sad moments for me," he said. "Nobody
knows what should I have to fix my problem.
"My family and friends help me a lot to never give up. And I think
I'm doing well now. The worst part of my life is totally in the
past, and I'm living a good present and looking forward for a good
future."
Next up for del Potro will be 19th-seeded American Steve Johnson,
who overcame Russian Evgeny Donskoy 4-6 1-6 7-6(2) 6-3 6-3 to
advance.
(Editing by Steve Keating.)
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