Regions Morgan Keegan Championships: Del Potro outdoes Dodig
2009 US Open champion, Juan Martin Del Potro, seems to be cementing his comeback, overcoming one obstacle after another to make his way up the Association of Tennis Professionals [ATP] Rankings.
The Argentine defeated Croatian tennis pro, Ivan Dodig, last night, to win his second round match in straight-sets 6-4, 6-4.
Juan Martin Del Potro qualified for the tournament as a wild card. The player, who built up a considerable fan base for himself after his Flushing Meadows victory, spent the last year out of commission due to shoulder injuries.
His first match at the 2011 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships was against American sixth seed, John Isner. He defeated the player in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
However, his comeback is not going to be easy. The player is used to being seeded on tour, and the adjustment will be difficult. He says, “I have confidence after San Jose, but every week is very tough for me when you have been out for a long time from competition
with injuries and problems. It's difficult to come back especially if you are not seeded''.
Ivan Dodig, meanwhile, won his first ATP career title this year. He defeated German professional tennis player, Michael Berrer, 6-3, 6-4 at the PZB Zagreb Indoors in early February to claim his maiden title.
At the Memphis event, he defeated German player, Rainer Schuettler, in three sets 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to win the match and set up a meeting with Del Potro.
The second-round match was not particularly hard for Del Potro. It lasted less than an hour and thirty minutes. The Argentine player scored two aces in the first round, which Dodig replied to with four aces.
Del Potro also saved the solitary break point against him, in addition to converting one of three break points against Dodig. The world number 298 managed to take 53 percent of the 55 points in the set.
The second round was score-wise, a repeat of the first one. Both players scored two aces each, although Dodig was unable to defend the lone break point Del Potro challenged him to. The 22-year old player won a satisfactory 56 percent of 54 points throughout
the set.
Juan Martin Del Potro will now compete against American qualifier, Michael Russell, who defeated Croatian pro, Ivo Karlovic, in straight sets 6-1, 7-6(1).
If Del Potro can reach the finals of the tournament, it will definitely have a positive impact on his rankings. The right-handed player seems aware of this, saying, “It's a long road. And I have to go very slowly and step by step like when I was young. I'm
trying to do everything perfect, especially with my (training). I'm only 22 and hopefully I'll be back (at the top) and play many, many years”.
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