US Open: Juan Martin del Potro takes delight in 'unexpected' run at Flushing Meadows after Olympic success

Del Potro eased past David Ferrer to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2013

Tom Allnutt

Flushing Meadows, New York

Sunday 04 September 2016 12:16 BST

Comments

Juan Martin del Potro celebrates his victory over David Ferrer in the US Open third round (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Juan Martin del Potro is as surprised as anyone that he has reached the US Open last 16.

Del Potro cruised past Spain's David Ferrer 7-6 (7/3) 6-2 6-3 to make his first major fourth round since Wimbledon three years ago.

The Argentinian has endured a nightmare spell since then with injury, after a chronic wrist problem meant he missed nine grand slams in a row.

Returning at Wimbledon this year, Del Potro is finally hitting the sort of form that saw him become world number four and a champion at Flushing Meadows in 2009.

He clinched a silver medal at the Olympics last month, losing to Andy Murray in a brutal final, and now faces Austrian Dominic Thiem for a quarter-final spot in New York.

"I didn't expect to be in the second week of this tournament," Del Potro said.

"I didn't expect to get a medal in Rio. I didn't expect to play at this level in this part of the year.

"Of course, I just want to be free with my wrist, trying to play in a good level as I did couple of years ago but I think I'm surprised with my level at the moment.

"I'm surprising the guys on tour, my colleagues. That's great because I'm seeing I can be dangerous in the future once again."

David Ferrer had no answer for Del Potro (Getty)

Thiem made the French Open semi-finals in May and is a rising star, having beaten both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal already this year.

The 23-year-old came from behind to oust Pablo Carreno Busta 1-6 6-4 6-4 7-5, and Del Potro believes his opponent starts as favourite.

"I don't consider myself favourite. He could be the favourite, for sure," Del Potro said.

"But it all depends on my physicality, on my body, on my game. If I play like this today, I will maybe have chance to do a great match against him."

Another player rediscovering form is Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Portugal's Joao Sousa at Flushing Meadows to set up a fourth-round meeting with Murray.

Grigor Dimitrov is enjoying a return to form after reaching the fourth round (Getty)

Dimitrov made the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2014 but has failed to go past the fourth round at a major tournament since.

The world number 24 appointed Murray's former coach Dani Vallverdu to his team this summer and says he feels rejuvenated.

"I fell in love with tennis again. It's simple as that," Dimitrov said.

"It's not only because I've been winning matches or anything like that. It's because I started to enjoy the process again.

"I'm enjoying the work again. I'm enjoying waking up in the morning early to come to practice. I'm enjoying doing the ice baths again. I'm enjoying pretty much everything that I do."

Murray was made to work hard for a four-set victory over Italy's Paolo Lorenzi while 14th seed Nick Kyrgios retired with what appeared to be a hip injury against Ukraine's Illya Marchenko.

"I'm pretty disappointed," Kyrgios said. "I don't like to retire. It's probably like the second or third time I've done it. It's never easy."

Marchenko now faces world number three Stan Wawrinka, who survived a match point against him to win in five sets against Britain's Dan Evans.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies