It’s emotional as Del boy stuns Stan
JUAN MARTIN Del Potro delivered the most emotional win of this year’s championships by stunning world No 5 Stan Wawrinka. The 6ft 6in Argentine’s career has been blighted for the past six years by wrist injuries that have already required three operations. But playing in his first Grand Slam since the Australian Open of 2014, he roared past Wawrinka — literally at one point — and moved into the third round with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory. The crowd cheered to the rafters at the end as Del Potro left the court with tears in his eyes. He said: ‘The crowd was unbelievable with me. The atmosphere was amazing. ‘They have a respect for me. It’s very nice just to be on the Centre Court of this magnificent tournament. ‘ This is one of the most emotional moments in my career. It is like having a second or third career. Doing this at my first Slam in almost three years means a lot to me.’ Del Potro (left) is still just 27 and won the US Open in 2009 at the age of 20.
He was a superstar in the making back then, a genuine challenger to the ‘Big Four’ — Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. But then his 2010 was wiped out with injury and it has been a long road back.
He played with conviction against Wawrinka, serving strongly, moving well and thundering his ground strokes.
If there was some tentativeness on his double-handed backhand because he still worries about his wrist, it did not prevent him using the shot.
The roar came in the third set at 4-4 when Del Potro wanted to call on Hawk-Eye but didn’t ask the umpire immediately and was told he’d been too late.
He argued for a few moments and then let out a bellow. The fire was stirring within and he didn’t look back.