By Chris Oddo | Tuesday August 30, 2016

 

Juan Martin del Potro took care of business on Day 2, moving past Diego Schwartzman in straight sets to book his place in round two.

Photo Source: Elsa/Getty

Back at the U.S. Open for the first time since bowing out to Lleyton Hewitt in the second round in 2013, 2009 champion Juan Martin del Potro earned a tidy first-round win against compatriot Diego Schwartzman, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(3).

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It was a fairly close three-setter, with Del Potro converting five of eight break points and striking 34 winners against 48 unforced errors.

“I am so glad to be part of this tournament once again after three years,” Del Potro said. “It's amazing for me just having the chance to play here once again.”

The Silver medalist at the Rio Olympic Games has made quite the comeback in 2016. After making his return from three surgeries on his left wrist in February, the 27-year-old has gradually pieced together his form in stages. Though his once lethal two-handed backhand is more of a set-up shot at this stage of his rehabilitation, he has been able to use his powerful forehand, deadly serve and exceptional movement to place himself right in the thick of things against the top players in the last two months. Del Potro defeated Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon and saw off world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and world No. 5 Rafael Nadal at the Olympic Games.

Though he keeps warning that he’ll be dangerous to top players once again in 2017, Del Potro is presenting clear and present dangers to the field way ahead of schedule. Some even think he has a shot to make a deep run here in New York. He’ll face 19th-seeded American Steve Johnson in the second round.

There is one issue, however. Del Potro says he is still a bit tired from his Olympic run and the celebration that took place in his hometown of Tandil the week after. “To be honest, I'm still feeling tired, for sure,” he said. “I couldn't recover after Rio because I was at home doing many things, in my hometown as well. We decide to come here on Tuesday, trying to stay focused on this tournament, because it is a big tournament as well.”

He added: “It's not easy after a big, big challenge like I did in Rio. But this tournament is very special for me. I'm trying to keep calm, to keep focus, and look forward to go far.”

Thiem, Johnson Advance in Five

With No. 4 seed Stan Wawrinka and No. 8 seed Dominic Thiem the top seeds in Del Potro’s section, some are calling this quarter the most open quadrant of the men’s draw in New York. Thiem was nearly knocked out on Tuesday, but battled back from two sets to one down to defeat gritty Aussie John Millman in five. Wawrinka came through with a strong straight-sets win over Fernando Verdasco. No. 14 seed Nick Kyrgios, also in this quarter, came through in straights over Aljaz Bedene, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.