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USTA ‘expect’ delPo to defend US Open


 

Originally published on: 23/07/10 10:37

Defending US Open champ Juan Martin del Potro is “expected” to make his return from injury at Flushing Meadows, according to the United States Tennis Association.

The 21-year-old Argentine has not played a competitive match since his five set defeat to Marin Cilic at the Australian Open in January, and had initially said he would miss the New York slam after undergoing wrist surgery in May.

But the USTA said in a statement that del Potro is “expected to return to Grand Slam competition” in the big apple, while his agent, Ugo Colombini, fuelled the speculation, commenting: “Del Potro is working and hopefully he will be back soon.”

Del Potro has already committed to playing at the Thailand Open, which begins on September 27, two weeks after the conclusion of the US Open.

“I am really looking forward to playing the PTT Thailand Open on my return from injury,” said the 6ft6 del Potro, who, in spite of a three set defeat to Canada’s Frank Dancevic on his only visit to Bangkok in 2007, added: “I really enjoyed myself on my last visit to Bangkok and hope for good results at this year’s tournament.”

The world No.7 shocked a packed Arthur Ashe stadium last September when he became the first man other than Rafael Nadal to beat Roger Federer in the final of a Grand Slam.

But Del Potro was affected by a bout of tendinitis in his wrist soon after his ‘dream’ triumph and was forced to retire early in subsequent tournaments in Shanghai and Paris.

The Tandil native recovered well enough to make the final of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November after beating Roger Federer again in the round robin stages. But though he was tipped as a leading contender for more Grand Slam glory in 2010, a recurrence of the injury in Melbourne wiped out the bulk of his season.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.