Del Potro: Nothing to lose

PARIS (AFP) — Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro said that he will have “nothing to lose” in his French Open semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal on Friday, after not even knowing whether he would play in the days before the tournament.

The former US Open champion, who almost retired from the sport two years ago after persistent wrist injuries, had said he would make a “lastminute decision” on his Roland Garros participation after suffering a leg injury at the Rome Masters.

But fast-forward 12 days and the affable Del Potro is preparing to take on 10-time champion Nadal in his first French Open semi-final since 2009.

The enormity of the situation clearly dawned on him after beating Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals on Thursday, as he sobbed tears of joy at the side of the court.

“I’m feeling so, so happy to make the right decision to play here. I am doing well,” he said after edging out third seed Cilic 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.

“I came here without big expectations, just seeing how my body feels match by match.

“Now I’m (in the) semi-finals, which means something great to me. So I have nothing to lose tomorrow. We’ll see what can I do against the king of clay.”