del Potro Upsets No. 4 Seed Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Martin del Potro is back and feeling alive…

The 27-year-old Argentine tennis player registered a shock second-round win to knock fourth seed Stan Wawrinka out of the men’s singles at Wimbledon.

del Potro, a former US Open champion, secured a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 win over Wawrinka.

He’s currently ranked No. 165 in the world after missing more than two years because of injury problems.

del Potro, who is in the same half of the draw as Britain’s Andy Murray, will next play France’s 32nd seed Lucas Pouille.

del Potro reached the semifinals at the All-England Club in 2013 but the former world number four is playing in his first Grand Slam since the Australian Open in 2014 after having three wrist operations.

He struggled early on as Wawrinka claimed an early break before comfortably taking the opening set, but del Potro fought back well to take the second.

Both players broke serve twice in the opening four games of a thrilling third set, which del Potro won in a tie-break, before taking the fourth set to wrap up victory.

“It feels amazing,” del Potro told BBC Sport. “I beat one of the guys who is playing great tennis this season and I couldn’t have expected this before today.

“I enjoyed the crowd, they were incredible and I’m very happy.

“It is my second or third career now after all the injuries. I was sad for the last two years and now I am enjoying playing tennis again. I feel alive.”

del Potro to Compete on Clay for First Time Since 2013

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Martin del Potro is ready for some clay action…

Following his return to the ATP Tour after 11 months of inactivity, and having taken part in only six tournaments since January 2014, the 27-year-old Argentine tennis player will return to competitive play on clay for the first time since 2013.

del Potro has been working on his clay game for the past few weeks. He started his training in his hometown of Tandil, Argentina, and then continued in Buenos Aires. His first tournament action will begin this week in Munich with Madrid and Roland Garros to follow.

del Potro will have a small entourage assisting him, as has been the case since his return. Without a coach since he parted ways with Franco Davin, del Potro traveled to Europe accompanied only by Diego Rodriguez, his physiotherapist.

Rodriguez, who has previously worked with David Nalbandian, will be key to del Potro’s recovery during the tour. Clay is a physically demanding surface, with longer points, greater physical impact and more body wear. For that reason, del Potro has been avoiding the slow surface at times when he didn’t feel strong enough or when he was recovering from his long stretches of inactivity because of wrist injuries. So the mere fact that del Potro is appearing on clay is a positive sign.

“The rehab is going as expected,” del Potro explained a few weeks ago, when he announced his entry in Munich and Madrid. While we must be patient, I’m very happy to confirm two tournaments in consecutive weeks, which is something I’ve been unable to do since my return.”

del Potro’s last appearance on clay came at the Rome Masters in 2013, where he lost his second match. A few weeks before, he had done the same in Monte Carlo. That was it on clay for the year — four matches and a 2-2 record.

This came a year after one of his best campaigns on clay, on which he won a title in Estoril (defeated Stan Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet along the way) and reached the semifinals at the Madrid Masters and the quarterfinals at the French Open.

It should be noted that del Potro has four titles on clay (18 in total). And interestingly, the first two of his career (in Stuttgart and Kitzbuhel in 2008) were both on clay. His other two were both in Estoril (2011 and 2012). del Potro’s career clay-court record: 62-24.

Currently No. 340 in the world, del Potro has played three tournaments this year. He reached the semifinals in Delray Beach, with solid wins against Denis Kudla, John-Patrick Smith and Jeremy Chardy, and made the second round at Indian Wells and Miami.

Now he’ll take on the challenge on clay.

Zeballos Defeats Fernando Verdasco to Reach the Fourth Round at the Miami Open

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Horacio Zeballos continues his winning ways…

The 30-year-old Argentine tennis player continued his remarkable run at the Miami Open by defeating Fernando Verdasco 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the third round.

It was his first victory over Verdasco in three matches.

Zeballos entered the tournament only after Roger Ferderer withdrew on Friday because of a stomach virus. After losing in the qualifying final round to Yoshihito Nishioka, Zeballos was then chosen as the last of three lucky losers.

“I’m so happy,” Zeballos said. “I’m excited to be here playing with such great players. Two days ago, I was out. Now, I’m in the [fourth] round. Of course, I’m really happy and enjoying this moment like it is my first time.”

So far, he’s made the most of the second chance. He defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the second round before stunning Verdasco.

Zeballos is just the fourth lucky loser to advance to the fourth round. If he wins again, he will become the second to reach the quarterfinals. Ivan Ljubicic did it in 2001.

“These wins are very significant because they will help my ranking, and that will help me get into bigger tournaments,” Zeballos said. “The stands were full, it was my first time beating Verdasco, so it was huge for me.”

It appeared the run was over when Zeballos started slow against Verdasco. After rallying to tie the score in the second set, he faced match point while serving at 5-6 in the third. Zeballos won the set to force a tiebreaker.

“Winning that match today was the equivalent of playing seven Challengers in terms of points and winnings,” Zeballos said. “So I’m very happy, a little tired, but very excited to be for the first time in the fourth round of a Masters 1000 tournament, having won two matches against opponents who are more accomplished than me and that gives me confidence that I can play at this level and I can keep improving my game.”

Zeballos Defeats Juan Martin del Potro at the Miami Masters

Posted on March 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Horacio Zeballos has dashed one tennis champion’s comeback dreams…

The 30-year-old Argentine tennis player defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the second round of the Miami Masters.

Zeballos did not originally have a spot in the main draw. But when Roger Federer withdrew from the event with a stomach virus, Zeballos was given a chance to play Del Potro on the show court in Florida.

Del Potro, a former US Open champion, started as favorite but he failed to create a single break point as Zeballos ran out a 6-4 6-4 winner.

Zeballos, looking for his first tour-level win of the year, made good on his opportunity by serving smartly and avoiding del Potro’s fearsome forehand. The left-handed Zeballos fired six aces and made 77 per cent of first serves, most of which were directed to del Potro’s backhand. He only dropped nine points on serve and did not face a break point in the 81-minute encounter.

“He played well,” said del Potro of his opponent. “He’s a lefty, he can play to my backhand easier than anyone else. He played very smart.”

Zeballos’ opponent in the third round will be Fernando Verdasco, who scored his first win in three ATP Head2Head meetings with Jeremy Chardy, 6-4, 6-4.

del Potro to Make Comeback at Delray Beach Open

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Martin del Potro is ready for hit the courts again…

The 27-year-old Argentine tennis player says he’ll make a comeback from his latest injury this month at the Delray Beach Open.

Del Potro, a former US Open champion, played only two tournaments last year before having surgery on his left wrist in June.

The ATP confirmed Del Potro’s return on Wednesday, and he backed it up while speaking on a YouTube video.

Speaking on the video, Del Potro says he is returning after “such a long period of incertitude” and “so many ups and downs.” He added, “I hope my return is successful.”

In addition to the 2009 US Open, he has won 18 tour titles.

Monaco Claims 300th ATP Tour-Level Win at Shenzhen Open

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Juan Monaco is part of Argentina’s Magnificent Seven…

The 30-year-old Argentine tennis player, a former World No. 10, claimed his 300th tour-level win on Wednesday at the Shenzhen Open as he battled past Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 in just under two hours.

“It’s amazing. 300 victories is a lot,” said Monaco, who has eight career titles. “It’s a gift and it gives me a boost of power for my next matches. I’m really happy.”

Monaco has become the seventh Argentine player in the Open Era to win at least 300 singles matches on the ATP World Tour, joining an illustrious group that includes tennis legend Guillermo Vilas (928 wins), as well as David Nalbandian (383) and Juan Martin del Potro (312).

Additionally, Monaco becomes the 26th active member on the ATP World Tour (sixth this season) to win at least 300 career matches.

Monaco’s first tour-level win came on home soil in Buenos Aires in 2004 against Nicolas Lapentti. Speaking to ATPWorldTour.com, he hailed his greatest win as being his victory over Tommy Haas in the 2012 Hamburg final.

“I think the most important victory in my life was the match I won in Hamburg. It was really important for me because I knew before the match that if I won, I’d break into the Top 10. Also it was the final of an [ATP World Tour] 500, in Germany, against Tommy. It was incredible and the best day of my life for sure.”

Here’s a look at Monaco’s achievements By The Numbers…

ARGENTINA’S 300 WINS CLUB

Player	Match Wins No.
Guillermo Vilas	929
David Nalbandian	383
Jose-Luis Clerc	375
Juan Ignacio Chela	326
Juan Martin del Potro	312
Martin Jaime	301
Juan Monaco	300

Bautista Agut Advances to His First-Ever Grand Slam Quarterfinals

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

No let down (under) for Roberto Bautista Agut…

The 25-year-old Spanish tenista followed up his upset win over No. 5 seed Juan Martin del Potro at the Australian Open with a victory over another seeded player.

In his third round match Saturday, Bautista Agut, ranked No. 62 in the world, defeated No. 27 seed Benoit Paire of France in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, to reach the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.

It’s the fifth victory over Paire for Bautista Agut. He most recently defeated the French player in straight sets at the Heineken Open in Auckland, New Zealand earlier this month.

Bautista Agut has now reached the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam event for the first time in his career.

The plucky underdog’s next opponent will be No. 22 seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, who defeated No. 11 seed Milos Raonic of Canada in four sets.

Bautista Agut Upsets Juan Martin del Potro at the Australian Open

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Roberto Bautista Agut has taken down a Grand Slam champion…

In an exciting five-set match, the 26-year-old Spanish professional tennis player outlasted No. 5 seed and former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in the second round at the Australian Open, pulling off the biggest upset of the Grand Slam event so far.

The Argentinian del Potro led twice in sets, before Bautista Agut –ranked No. 62 in the world – fought back to seal a 4-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 victory under the lights in Melbourne.

It was Bautista Agut’s first win in seven matches against a top 10 player, and del Potro’s fourth second-round exit in eight years at the season’s first major.

The match lasted three hours and 53 minutes, and ended at 1:20 am Melbourne time on Friday after a long day of suspensions and delays in matches due to extreme heat and storms.

It’s a tough loss for del Potro, who won his 18th career singles title last week by beating Bernard Tomic in the final of the Sydney International, a key warm-up event for the Australian Open.

Bautista Agut next faces No. 27-ranked Benoit Paire in the third round.

del Toro Breezes Past Bernard Tomic to Claim Apia International Sydney Title

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It looks like Juan Martín del Potro could be a force to be reckoned with at the Australian Open…

The 25-year-old tennis player, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, outclassed defending champion Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-1 Saturday in a 53-minute final at the Apia International Sydney tournament.

del Potro, the week’s top-seed, finished the match with his eighth ace and made only four unforced errors in securing his 18th career title and first in Sydney.

He lost only six points on his serve, and Tomic appeared dispirited after being broken to fall behind 4-1 in the second set.

“My forehand worked perfect, I made a lot of winners, many aces, played good slices,” said del Potro. “Every long rally we played, I won all of them, which is good for my confidence. I think Bernard was a little frustrated to see me very focused on the match and hitting the ball so well.”

Tomic was more succinct.

“I got killed,” the 21-year-old Australian said. “There was nothing I could do.”

Up next for del Potro: a first-round match at the Australian Open on Tuesday — against a qualifier.

Nadal Named the Top Seed at the Australian Open

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It comes as little surprise… But Rafael Nadal has been listed as the top seed at the Australian Open, which gets underway on Monday at Melbourne Park.

The 27-year-old Spanish tennis star, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, recently extended his points lead over Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after clinching the title at the Qatar Open.

Djokovic, the defending champion, is the No. 2-seeded man, followed by David Ferrer, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at sixth.

The other Latino seeds include Spain’s Nicolas Almagro at No. 13, Spain’s Tommy Robredo at No. 18, Spain’s Feliciano Lopez and No. 27 and Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at No. 32.

On the women’s side, Serena Williams has been made the top seeds at the Australian Open.

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka is No. 2, followed by Maria Sharapova, Li Na, Agnieszka Radwanska and former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in sixth.

The only Latina to earn at ranking at this year’s Australian Open is Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro at No. 16.

The 32 seeds were only altered twice from the rankings, both because of injuries. No. 29-ranked Jurgen Melzer is not playing due to a left shoulder injury and Maria Kirilenko, who would have been seeded 18th, has a left knee injury.

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