Juan Martin del Potro marks Wimbledon return with upset of Stan Wawrinka
Three years and three wrist surgeries since his last Wimbledon appearance, Juan Martin del Potro announced his return to form in grand fashion with a second-round upset of fourth-seeded Stan Wawrinka.
Del Potro, a former top-five player who had missed the past nine majors with injuries, downed Wawrinka 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3 on Centre Court.
Wawrinka drew first blood in the match, capturing the opening set’s only break opportunity to jump out ahead.
But the hard-hitting del Potro, who won the 2009 U.S. Open, eventually found his serving rhythm and frequently wrong-footed Wawrinka.
The tide of the match turned in the third-set tie-break, when Wawrinka double-faulted and lost the set with an errant forehand try.
1092 days since he was last on Centre Court, and Del Potro returns with a win.
No wonder he's smiling… https://t.co/Az44axvoo0
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2016
“It feels amazing,” del Potro said on the court after the match. “It’s a great sensation. I enjoyed the crowd. It’s an incredible feeling, that’s why my hands are still shaking.
“I feel alive again. After sitting at home for two years, this feels like a second or third career.”
