Thursday, May 28, 2009

Del Potro issues warning


ATP Masters Series - Rome: Day Five


Juan Martin Del Potro produced an impressive first-round display to sound out a warning to the so-called 'Big Four'.

Most experts expect the men's singles winner to come from the quartet of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.

However, Del Potro, as fifth seed the best of the rest in ranking terms, looked very good as he dispatched Frenchman Michael Llodra 6-3 6-3 6-1 on Tuesday.

Even two rain breaks failed to disrupt the Argentine's rhythm on Court One at Roland Garros.

In good form coming into the event having beaten Murray en route to the last four in Madrid, Del Potro did not have to face a break point during the entire match.

Llodra did not play badly but had no answers to Del Potro's big-hitting game and the outcome was settled in just over 90 minutes.

The 20-year-old has never gone further than the second round in Paris but after a breakthrough summer in 2008, is in confident mood.

"I've played in Masters Series events (on clay) and my results were good, but a Grand Slam gives you a unique feeling,'' he said.

"I feel good. What I did well is play well in the moments I had to, and that was enough.''

Next up for Del Potro, seeded to meet Djokovic in the quarter-finals, will be Viktor Troicki, who beat Lukasz Kubot in five sets in his opener.

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