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Del Potro Makes Return at Thailand Open
By Nick Georgandis
The eyes of the tennis world are firmly set on Bangkok today as the PTT Thailand Open kicks off, marking the first action for world No. 1 Rafael Nadal since winning the US Open, as well as the long-awaited return of Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion.
After spending 101 weeks ranked in the Top 10, Del Potro fell out immediately after Nadal won the US Open, unable to defend his points due to a right wrist injury which he underwent surgery for on May 4 at the Mayo Clinic. On May 19, he announced a November comeback, but recovered far quicker, even doing preliminary training for the US Open before withdrawing on Aug. 23.
It is del Potro’s first action since losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January. The 22-year-old plays Belarus’ Oliver Rochus in the first round, and could face Nadal in the third. That matchup would be the first between the two since Del Potro defeated Nadal in the US Open semifinals in 2009. Del Potro leads their all-time series 4-3 after beating Nadal four straight times in 2009.
 The world’s No. 1 player has been in Bangkok a week, coming early to take a mini-vacation with family and friends. Despite having the year-end No. 1 spot already locked up, Nadal has expressed a desire to play well this fall to stay sharp, and prepare for the ATP Tour Championships, the one big tournament he has yet to win in his star-studded career. This is Nadal’s first time participating in the Thailand Open.
At the other end of the bracket from Nadal is second seed Fernando Verdasco, who last saw his countryman in the US Open quarterfinals. If Verdasco should battle through the obstacle course that includes third-seeded Jurgen Melzer, he’ll have another shot to end his 0-for-11 career mark against Nadal.
No past champions are in the field for Thailand, with 2009 winner Gilles Simon choosing to play close to home at the Metz last week instead. Former runners-up Viktor Troicki (2009) and Benjamin Becker (2007) are present.
A notable absence from the field is Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who had as late as last week said he thought he would return to the court for the tournament. Tsonga has not played since Wimbledon.
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