Del Potro Shocks Djokovic in Rio Opener
Unseeded Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina kicked his nation’s campaign for Olympic Gold off with a bang, downing the top-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia 7-6(4), 7-6(2) in opening round action at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Hampered by injuries the past three years, del Potro did not allow Djokovic a single break point in the match and produced 41 winners (33 with his forehand) to 24 unforced errors in the two-hour and 27-minute contest.
“I think this victory, it’s bigger for me because I know my present,” del Potro said. “I know how tough it was to come back in tennis after my third wrist surgery, and I think I played one of the best matches of my career.”
Del Potro moves on to next face Portugal’s Joao Sousa in the second round.
“It’s obviously very sad and disappointing on my side to go out in a tournament this early, but on the other hand, I’m glad a good friend of mine, and somebody who has struggled a lot the last couple years with injuries, is back and plays at this level,” said Djokovic post-match.
Also making a return to the courts to represent his nation was 2008 Gold Medalist Rafael Nadal of Spain, a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Argentine Federico Delbonis.
“If this was not the Olympic Games I would not be here competing because I need to have more rehab,” said Nadal. “It’s only one chance every four years at an Olympic Games and it is something unforgettable. I missed the last one in London in 2012, so I don’t want to miss this one. I’m enjoying it a lot and I’m happy. Today was a great feeling on court.”
Despite the win, Nadal was quite critical of the playing conditions in Rio.
“There is a sign, where they show the results … that’s too centered. When someone hits the ball from that part of the court, you completely lose sight of the ball,” Nadal said. “That shiny blue behind the player makes you unable to see the ball. Speaking clearly, that was badly planned. I couldn’t hit an open serve because I couldn’t see the ball coming. I lost sight of it. You can’t play like that. It’s not a matter of the facility being better or worse, but it’s something that directly affects the game. The low intensity light is a bad idea. The International Tennis Federation should forget it.”
Nadal moves on to face Italy's Andreas Seppi in the second round.
Elsewhere on the Men’s Singles side of the draw, Andy Murray began defense of the Gold Medal he won in 2012 with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Serbian Viktor Troicki.
“I’m not defending a gold medal,” Murray said. “I’ll always keep my Gold Medal. It’s always going to be there. You don’t have to give it back."
Murray advances to face Argentine Juan Monaco, a 6-2, 6-2 winner Sunday over Mirza Basic of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Murray holds a 3-2 lifetime edge over Monaco.
Seventh-seeded David Ferrer opened his third trip to the Olympic Games with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin, moving on to face Russian Evgeny Donskoy in round two.
