Tennis prodigy now a national hero
September 20th 2008 01:02
Juan Martin Del Potro is a freak. Whether it was the shot he played against Tommy Robredo between his legs earlier this year or the fact he won his first four career titles in succession, this Argentine tennis player has become the envy of the Tennis world.
After his quarter final loss at the US Open at the hands of eventual finalist Andy Murray, Del Potro was disappointed big time. He did not even want to speak about the four hour effort he had put in against the Brit such was his shallow feeling.
Del Potro no doubt feared his form and confidence had taken a battering after losing his first match in 23 outings in a Grand Slam. Del Potro thought this was indeed his best chance to upstage those higher in the rankings then him.
Luckily for Del Potro, he did not have to wait long to prove his worth and potential.
Del Potro was cast into Argentina's Davis Cup team for their semi-final tie against 2006 champions Russia - a side that boosts world no.6 Nikolay Davydenko.
Indeed Davydenko was to play Del Potro in the second match of the Davis Cup tie in Buenos Aires. Not that the 19 year old player was fearful of the challenge.
He in fact embraced it.
And so we move on to yesterday's resounding win for Del Potro over Davydenko in three sets. It was no contest and the world no.13 flexed all his potential against the Russian at home.
Del Potro's victory cast Argentina to a two nil lead over the nation that put Argentine tennis in second position in Moscow two years ago.
No doubt his confidence was helped with team mate and world no.7 David Nalbandian winning his earlier match against Dimitriv Tursonov.
When Russia won that Davis Cup, Del Potro was just 17 years old and winning challenger tournaments in his native South America.
Now, Del Potro is without a doubt the best player in Argentina and probably the best young player in the world.
He is the youngest man in the top fifty and could be the key in unlocking Argentina's maiden Davis Cup crown.
Judging by his victory over Davydenko yesterday, it seems Del Potro is ready to write himself into Tennis history, let alone that of the Davis Cup.
If all goes to script, Del Potro could play in the final against Spain, who themselves are in the box seat against the United States.
Del Potro would play Rafael Nadal - a man that indeed cast himself into glory at the tender age of 19 as well, winning his maiden French Open crown.
Could be another spanish speaking prodigy on the cards here. Now one of Argentine heritage.
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