(July 22, 2013) --
Juan Martin Del Potro is not the only tall Argentine to keep an eye on this summer. After a quiet first half of the season,
Federico Delbonis stunned many by coming from qualifying to reach the Hamburg finals. Learn more about this rising star who goes by two nicknames.
1. Ace of Azul: Delbonis was born on May 5, 1990, in Azul, Argentina. He still resides in Azul, which sits 300 kilometers south of Buenos Aires.
2. Early Years: Tennis became a focus for Delbonis when he began playing at age seven. His father was once a goalkeeper for a professional soccer team. Delbonis grew up with one brother and one sister.
3. Pro Start: Delbonis turned pro in 2007. He started out on the ITF circuit and two years later won a Futures title in Guatamala and a Challenger title in Manerbio.
4. First ATP Success: Delbonis reached the semifinals of an ATP main draw event in Stuttgart for the first time in 2011. Facing Spanish great Juan Carlos Ferrero, Delbonis lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
5. Hamburg Heaven: Though only 4-4 in ATP matches prior to Hamburg this year, Delbonis came through qualifying to reach the main draw at the German Tennis Championships. From there he took out
Tommy Robredo and
Fernando Verdasco before meeting
Roger Federer in the semifinals. Delbonis went on to upset Federer to reach his first ever ATP Tour final.
6. Foiled by Fognini: Playing Italy's
Fabio Fognini for the first time in the finals, Delbonis won the first set and held three match points in the second set. But Fognini went on to win the set and then the match 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-3. For his efforts all week, Delbonis rose to a career high No. 65 in the world.
7. In His Words: "To lose the final with match points is disappointing," Delbonis said. "But at the end of the week, the result of all the week is positive or me."
8. Two Nicknames: Though many fans came up with their own nicknames to describe Delbonis, he officially has two of them -- "Delbo" and "Gordo."
9. Idol Worship: Delbonis' two favorite players when growing up were Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas.
10. Socially Savvy: Fans can follow Delbonis on Twitter
@FedeDelbonis or like him on his
Facebook page.
Source: ATP.com
Follow Erik Gudris on Twitter.