Juan Martin Del Potro Back With A Win

Juan Martin Del Potro came through the first round of the Sydney International with a hard fought win over Feliciano Lopez.

The Argentinean missed most of last season due to a wrist injury and his played just two tournaments since his return in October, losing in the first round of both.

And it was Del Potro who got the early break in the opening set but Lopez battled back to take it into a tie break.

And it was the Spaniard who came out on top in the first of three breakers as he took it 7-5 to clinch a very tight opening set.

There wasn’t much to choose between the pair in the second either as another tie break was needed. And Lopez moved to within an inch of victory at 7-6 only for Del Potro to battle back and level the match 11-9.

Into the third and final set and it was Del Potro who was facing all the break points, fighting off a grand total of six to keep himself in the set.

A third and final tie break was required and it was the former world number one and U.S. Open champion who clung on 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (11-9), 7-6 (7-3)

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match Del Potro said: "I felt good for all the match, and finally I won a match after one year.

"It was good tennis before the Australian Open, but I still want to win here. I'm ready to fight again."

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw