Feliciano Lopez defeats Del Potro in 2010 Japan Open
Feliciano Lopez dismissed 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina on Monday with an impressive opening round victory at the Japan Open men’s competition.
The 29-year-old Spaniard grabbed a total of sixteen points in a row at the beginning of the second set to record a two setter win over his Argentinean foe. The final match score was 6-3, 6-0. The clash concluded in a time of seventy one minutes in Tokyo.
It was Del Potro's second comeback clash after a wrist injury earlier in January, followed by another opening round clash at the Thailand Open in Bangkok a few days ago.
"It is hard to come back to play versus such kind of contenders. A lot of them are quite good, particularly Feliciano on this quick court. However I am happy to come back," said Del Potro, who had been sidelined since January.
While commenting on his form and game, the Argentinean further added, "I need some more time to improve again to play at the same level that I did previous year, however it is very hard. But a good thing is it is getting better. Today, I played sometimes
good tennis, sometimes bad."
Martin lost his opening service game of the first set despite smashing a couple of aces, but he soon bounced back as Lopez double faulted at 15-40.
However, that was as good as it got for Del Potro, who held his serve just one more time in the clash before falling away in the following set.
"Apparently he is the same player, he has the same strokes, he is very strong, but this is the second tournament he is playing after the injury, so I understand. I will see him playing better, for sure, but it takes time to play at the best level when you
are away for a long time. I think he is going to be back,” added Lopez from Spain.
In other action, the seventh seed Ernests Gulbis from Latvia registered his name as the first seed to lose when he was defeated at the hands of Dmitry Tursunov from Russia in a two setter clash on Monday. The final match score was 6-3, 6-4.
Meanwhile, the Spanish tennis player Daniel Gimeno-Traver did well to topple Eduardo Schwank from Argentina in two sets. The final match score was 6-4, 6-4
Tags: