By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, June 7, 2016
"Hopefully at the end of the season I can say I'm completely ready to try to go for the top guys," says Juan Martin del Potro.
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open
Chronic wrist injuries have put Juan Martin del Potro in a painful place.
The 2009 US Open champion provided a panacea today.
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In a clash of former Wimbledon semifinalists, del Potro dismantled Grigor Dimitrov, 6-4, 6-2, in his Stuttgart opener.
It was del Potro's first grass-court match since he lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2013 Wimbledon semifinals. He defeated Dimitrov for the third time in as many meetings
"It's a big victory for me after three years without playing on this surface," del Potro said afterward. "I beat one guy who is playing great on grass court. I did not expect this kind of level to win my first match on grass. But I'm looking forward to keep going."
In his first Stuttgart appearance since he defeated Richard Gasquet to win his maiden ATP title at the tournament in 2008, the Argentine wild card was nearly untouchable on serve today.
Del Potro pounded 12 aces, won 27 of 29 first-serve points and did not face a break point in a sharp 69-minute dismissal. Del Potro plastered an ace down the middle to close the match.
"I served well. My forehand is working good," del Potro said. "The good thing is my backhand is starting to come back on my game and that gives me motivation for the future."
Meanwhile, Dimitrov's downward spiral continues.
It was Dimitrov's fourth consecutive opening-round exit since he suffered a shattering collapse against another Argentine, Diego Schwartzman, in last month's Istanbul final.
Currently ranked No. 223, del Potro raised his 2016 record to 9-5. He will play John Millman for a quarterfinal spot. Millman upset eighth-seeded Lucas Pouille, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4.
Launching his comeback from multiple surgeries on his left wrist by reaching the Delray Beach semifinals in February, del Potro withdrew from Rome and Roland Garros to rest his wrist and recover for grass season.
Conceding he still feels pain in his surgically-repaired wrist, del Potro said he does feel improvement. The former world No. 4 is aiming to stay healthy, play consistently and eventually return to challenging the elite.
"It's not easy for me, but I'm surviving the last six months," del Potro said. "I'm dealing with the pain, which is getting better which is good. Hopefully at the end of the season I can say I'm completely ready to try to go for the top guys."
German qualifier Florian Mayer toppled sixth-seeded Viktor Troicki, 6-4, 7-6 (4).
American Taylor Fritz fired 19 aces fighting past French qualifier Fabrice Martin, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1 in 88 minutes to set up a meeting with top-seeded Roger Federer tomorrow.
Qualifier Radek Stepanek, who pushed Andy Murray to five sets at the French Open, outdueled Denis Istomin, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Stepanek will play second-seeded Marin Cilic next.