And Steve Johnson is still establishing his credentials as the top men’s player from the host nation. As it turns out they met in the second round, but Johnson would have preferred it not be at all. Despite his low ranking, bookmakers have placed him as the fourth favorite to win the title. They know what I’ve been through to come back.
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As the feel-good story that is Juan Martin del Potro continues at the US Open, the Olympic Games silver medallist admitted he has exceeded his own expectations. After missing successive events due to series of injuries, Delpo was able to manage a strong comeback though his entry started as a wild card. “Kind of unfortunate timing for a bit of a dry spell on my side”.
That one, glorious effort remains del Potro’s only Grand Slam championship.
– Johnson has never made it past the round of 16 at a major or been ranked in the top 20.
In the 4th round of men’s singles, del Potro will face Dominic Thiem.
“The people supporting me are making insane and I can not believe that”, said Del Potro, who will now play Spain’s David Ferrer.
Seven years ago, when Roger Federer won the first set in the US Open final, towards the end of a season when his nemesis Rafael Nadal was struggling with injuries, it looked for all the world like the Swiss world No. 1 was going to claim a sixth consecutive title in NY, and become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open in the same year.
Six months on, with an Olympic silver medal in the bag, the Argentine beat 11th seed David Ferrer of Spain 7-6 6-2 6-3 to reach the US fourth round for the first time since 2012.
But instead of dominating on the court, del Potro’s life has largely been dominated by trips to the trainer’s table. I just want to play my tennis again after so many problems. “Finalist in the Olympics and had Andy on the ropes”.
Del Potro won the only match between the two in Madrid earlier this year. Donaldson is ranked a career-best 122nd.
The American, in the midst of a breakout season, had his chances in the first set but he failed to challenge a Del Potro serve that replays showed to be out at 5-5 in the first set tiebreaker and proceeded to drop the next point and the opening set. Makarova is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist who just missed a seed. Possessing a rather steady ground game, the Spaniard needs to make sure to also put in a high percentage of first serves.
And so it goes for Juan Martin Del Potro.
In the first match of the night session, frequent night time player, Venus Williams comes up against veteran Laura Siegemund.
Appearing in a day match for the first time at this year’s tournament, Williams wore a new white outfit that made a fashion statement with bold, pink sleeves.
The main reason that Garcia has not developed to become the player many have prepared for is between the ears, and that very reason will more than likely hold her back in this match up.
epa05519432 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina hits a return to Steve Johnson of the US on the fourth day of the US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 01 September 2016.
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Serena Williams’ serve was in fine form in a routine first-round win over Ekaterina Makarova at the U.S. Open.
