Del Potro Wins in Delray in First Match in Over 4 Months - UBITENNIS

Del Potro Wins in Delray in First Match in Over 4 Months

By John Horn
3 Min Read

-Delray Beach, Fla

Juan Martin Del Potro made a successful return to the ATP Tour at the Delray Beach Open. The World No. 4, playing his first competitive match in over four months after suffering a fractured right patella bone in his knee, had 12 aces and three breaks of serve defeating 23-year old Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan 6-3 7-5 in an hour and 51 minutes.

Del Potro appeared to be moving well on the court in his first match since Shanghai last year however afterwards he said he was still feeling pain in his knee and he was thinking about it throughout the match. His right knee was taped up in three different places.

A lively pro Del Potro crowd cheered on the 30-year throughout every point. During one moment in the opening set he responded with a wink and smile to one fan wearing an Argentina football Jersey while he was toweling off in between games.

Thanks to a slew of injuries, Tuesday night was the third time in four years that Del Potro started his season at the Delray Beach Open. He has now won his opening round match in each of those seasons.

“I didn’t feel really well on court, but I think that’s very normal for right now,” said Del Potro. “I’m looking forward to feeling better in the next round. I need time to get better, to feel confidence with my knee, with my body.”

And he will need to get better as he will face 6’11 hard serving Reilly Opelka in the next round. Opelka won his first round match at Delray losing just four games to Tennys Sandgren. He is also coming off his first career ATP title in New York on Sunday.

Opelka said on Tuesday he considers Del Potro a hero to him. “I like the way he competes, I like how calm he is. He has a massive forehand, great athlete, I just liked the way he always seems pretty mellow. Every match he plays he’s the bully. He’s a guy I always respected and liked”

@Sportshorn

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