Del Potro is smoking hot

Written by: Global Chick on 1st September 2011

Del Potro is smoking hot |

The 2009 US Open Champion Juan Martin Del Potro made short work of Italian Filippo Volandri of Italy today.

This is the Argentinians first time back at the US Open since winning the title in 2009. The former world number four had surgery on his wrist in May last year and was out for eight months. Today’s match at the Louis Armstrong Stadium only lasted around 90 minutes and Del Potro won in straight sets 6-3 6-1 6-1.

“It was a short match, you know but I served well. I was improving my game during the match. And to be playing here after winning here, it’s special. It’s my favourite tournament, so I’m really happy to take the opportunity to play here again,” The Argentinian said.

This match was Volandri and Del Potro’s first meeting. The No. 18 fired 18 aces past the Italian today and he hit 38 winners. Del Potro broke at 2-2 in the first set, and Volandri only held serve twice after that.

Del Potro dropped to No. 485 on the ATP Tour ranking but he is now back at No. 18. 2011 have seen him win two titles in Estoril and Delray Beach, which gives him a total of nine career titles. The big server is a serious threat to Djokovic, Nadal and Federer on any given day. His lead up to the US Open has been a little disappointing with the best result being a quarterfinal in LA.

“I keep improving very slowly, that’s important. I think I’m serving much better than two years ago or in the beginning of this year. I know that other players are playing much better than me at this moment, especially the top 10 players. To be here paying this tournament for me it’s a great signal for my future. I know I’m getting closer to my best level and that is important,” Del Potro said about his comeback from injury.

Fellow Argentinian Diego Junqueira is waiting in the second round for Del Potro. Junqueira won the first set against Karol Beck of Slovakia 6-2 and then the Slovakian pulled out due to an unknown illness.