In the quarterfinals, del Potro’s opponent will be No. 3 Wawrinka, a 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 victor against Illya Marchenko. But the next year, del Potro was unable to defend his title because he had to undergo right wrist surgery in May of 2010 and has had several additional wrist surgeries since, which had forced him to miss nine straight major championships. This was the crucial part of the set, with Wawrinka winning 4 games in a row to turn the scoreboard around and gain a 5-2 advantage, which was enough for a 6-3 in the end, booking his place in the last 8 in NY for the 4th straight year.
Advertisement
After overtaking Roger Federer for most Grand Slam match wins in the Open era with 308, Serena Williams was asked who’ll wind up retiring with more.
File picture of Juan Martin Del Potro.
The quick-footed Nishikori made 37-year-old Karlovic look like he was standing still, which he often was, as he raced to victory in two hours to earn a berth into the last eight.
“At the beginning of the match it was basically ok but.it got worse and worse”. He hasn’t advanced to a quarterfinal since Wimbledon in 2013. “I don’t know if I’m playing better than in 2009, but I keep winning”.
Only one of them, del Potro, will continue to be compared to Connors this week.
Andy Murray set up a clash with Kei Nishikori in the U.S. Open quarterfinals after cruising past Grigor Dimitrov on Monday. I have a different game.
Del Potro returned to the circuit in February and pulled off a memorable victory at Wimbledon by ousting Stan Wawrinka before tiring against Lucas Pouille – the flashy Frenchman who upset Rafael Nadal on Sunday.
Marchenko was treated twice during Monday’s match for his right knee, which was taped between the second and third sets and massaged during the third-set changeover at 2-1, but he battled on to force a fourth set.
Whereas the shoulder complaint to del Potro ultimately seemed minor, Thiem grimaced while striking a shot and the eighth seed called it quits with a knee injury while trailing 6-3 3-2 on center court.
The 2012 title victor at Flushing Meadows, Andy Murray, eased into the quarterfinals for the 22nd time in his past 23 majors, beating No. 22 Grigor Dimitrov 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 at night. But all those victories came with a cost a tour-high 69 matches, and the long season had started to wear on his body. Scot finished the match with 28 winners and 23 errors, enough to give him an easy win before the ultimate challenges that are waiting for him from the next round. But his stunning run to the Olympic silver medal signaled that he is a contender again.
Del Potro got a huge break Monday when he spent only 72 minutes on court. He has played just 10-plus sets through four rounds, but still expects to be the underdog.
Should del Potro make the semi-finals he would be the lowest-ranked man to do so at a Grand Slam since 237th-ranked Vladimir Voltchkov at Wimbledon in 2000.
Advertisement
The 27-year-old Argentinean has become my favorite story so far at this US Open and by the sound of the roars from the crowds when he plays, many others are appreciating his return as well.
