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Del Potro, playing in just his third tournament since an
11-month layoff following two left wrist surgeries, held off
Pella 6-0 7-6(4) and now faces Federer, who will be playing for
the first time since knee surgery last month.
"We're both coming off injuries but I think it will be a really
good match," del Potro told reporters. "I'm going to play my
best tennis against Roger."
On Wednesday, del Potro produced some of the tennis that had
helped him to number four in the world before he was struck by a
succession of injuries, notably to his wrists.
He did not lose a service game and blitzed through the opening
set but failed to close the match in the 10th game of the second
set where he had match point.
In the tiebreak he won three of the last four points to seal his
second round spot after 87 minutes.
In earlier action, Britain's Kyle Edmund survived a tight clash
with Czech Jiri Vesely 6-4 5-7 7-6(6) to earn a meeting with
world number one Novak Djokovic, who won last week's tournament
in Indian Wells.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg
Stutchbury)
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