Juan Martín del Potro enjoyed a day to remember as he won in his first game for 11 months.
The Argentinian 2009 US Open champion – once ranked in the top 10, but now down to No1,041 – was back in action for the first time since last March following a third operation on his wrist.
Before the second-round Delray Beach Open game in Florida, Del Potro was asked about his opponent, the American Denis Kudla, and shrugged his shoulders – saying: “I don’t know him. For two years I was at home watching The Simpsons.”
But it turned out to be quite a night for the 27-year-old del Potro, who needed only 61 minutes to brush Kudla aside 6-1 6-4. He lost just 10 points on his serve in the match – five of them on double faults. Del Potro next plays on Thursday against the Australian John-Patrick Smith.
Del Potro’s win was a relief to tournament organisers after the top two seeds each had a quick exit. Kevin Anderson, the No1 seed and 2012 champion, was forced to retire from his match against Austin Krajicek due to a shoulder injury. Hours later, the second-seeded Bernard Tomic of Australia lost to American Rajeev Ram, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1.
