Waching daily Sep 5 2017

Juan Martin del Potro is contending again - US Open 2017

Juan Martin del Potro, seeded 24th, looked dominant on Saturday in taking out No. 11 seed Roberto Bautista Agut, firing 14 aces, 38 winners and taking his third straight match without dropping a set.

But while del Potro looked in control throughout, it was in his post-match, on-court interview that the 28-year-old, whose career has been repeatedly sidelined by a series of debilitating wrist injuries, revealed just how emotional this run has been.

When you get older I think you be more patient for everything, he said. I just want to play tennis.

I had too many problems with my wrists a few years ago, but now I have the chance to play here in New York. I love to play this tournament. I love to be here in New York.

He then addressed the crowd more directly, referencing last years loss to Stan Wawrinka, when the crowds overhwleming support led to him breaking down on court: I love you guys. You support me, here in New York.

I dont want to cry this year, so well finish the interview here.. Even before these heartfelt remarks, its been clear for a while the US Open has been a special place for del Potro. At the age of 21, ranked No.

6 in the world and an up-and-coming star on tour, del Potro won his first and only Grand Slam title in New York, taking out Rafael Nadal in the semis and five-time defending champ Roger Federer in the final to become the first player ever to beat both in the same major.

Even last year proved something of a career highlight for the Argentine, when del Potro, ranked just No.

142 and a wild card in the tournament, marched all the way to the quarters, becoming the lowest-ranked player to the reach the final eight in New York since 1991.

But while hes had plenty of success in the Big Apple, including a run to the quarters in 2012, del Potro doesnt take anything for granted. These days, hes just happy to be playing – anywhere.

Shortly after winning the Open in 2009, del Potro suffered the first wrist injury, which limited him to just three tournaments in 2010.

He also missed most of the 2014 and 2015 seasons due to wrist injuries, competing in a total of just six tournaments. Hes had four wrist surgeries in all, one on his right wrist and three on his left.

As a result, del Potros ranking was mired at No. 1,045 as recently as February 2016. While his run to the quarters last year helped get his ranking back into the Top 100, his issues with his wrist are ever-present.

Hes altered his appraoach to backhands, going with the slice on most occasion, rather than using his double-handed stroke and hitting over the ball, to limit the chance of causing further damage to his left wrist.

Considering the limitation, its remarkable how dominant del Potro can still be, having honed a laser-like slice backhand that stays low and help set up his forehand, still one of the biggest in the game.

Limitation or not, del Potros ease in taking out Bautista Agut on Saturday proved that hes a legitimate contender again at this years Open.

In his next match, in the round of 16, the Argentine will face his biggest test so far, taking on the No. 6 seed Dominic Thiem of Austria, who at age 24 is one of the games top young players.

He has everything to win the match, del Potro says about Thiem and their round-of-16 encounter. Hes the favorite for the match. But I like to play him in this tournament..

Del Potro has beaten the Austrian in both their previous meetings, most recently in the fourth round here last year, when Thiem retired in the second set because of a knee injury.

But Thiem has looked sharp at the Open this year, having dropped just one set in his first three matches. Del Potro has also only recorded one win this year over a Top 10 player, taking out then-No.

9 Kei Nishikori on the way to the quarterfinals in Rome. But, this being New York, del Potro is certainly feeling confident going in.

Im getting good energy from the crowd in every match, he said about the prospect of playing Thiem. Im feeling every day much better with my game..