Del Potro Closes In On Djokovic Rematch

In an all-Argentine clash, Juan Martin del Potro advanced to the BNP Paribas Open third round with 7-6(5), 6-3 victory over Federico Delbonis on Sunday in Indian Wells. After hitting a hot shot tweener-lob winner in the early stages, del Potro fended off set point at 30/40 in the 10th game before sealing the opener in the ensuing tie-break.

“It has been a great year for me. Last season, I played even better than what I expected with my injuries. I’m looking forward to keep going up the rankings this year, trying to get closer to the top guys,” said del Potro. “If I stay healthy and play at the same level as last year, I think I will be close to that goal.”

The Tandil native claimed the only break of the match in the fourth game of the second set to prevail in one hour and 51 minutes. The 28-year-old del Potro is playing just his third tournament of the season after taking time at the start of the year to work more on his fitness.

The 31st seed has found the Indian Wells Tennis Garden to be a happy hunting ground in recent years, reaching the final in 2013 and the semifinals in 2011 (l. to Nadal both times). Next up for del Potro will be either Novak Djokovic, whom he lost to in the Acapulco second round last week, or Kyle Edmund.