Juan Martin Del Potro Faces Nadal Clash

Juan Martin Del Potro will not have a straight forward comeback at the Thailand Open this week as he finds himself in the same quarter of the draw as world number one Rafael Nadal.

Del Potro has not played since the Australian Open back in January but a wrist injury, which led to surgery, but could face Nadal in the quarter finals in Bangkok later this week.

Del Potro has been as high as world number four but has seen his ranking slide this year due to his injury, He made the big breakthrough twelve months ago when he won the U.S. Open title, a title he was unable to defend this year.

And this may be his first tournament back but Del Potro admits that he is just happy to be playing once again.

Speaking to the ATP: "I feel very happy to be back at a tournament again for the first time in eight months. Living this life again is great for me.

"I feel in good shape to start again. I'm healthy and I've been getting better and better week by week and now I'm ready to play. I just want to go on the court and enjoy myself.

"My first opponent will be difficult and we will see how I will feel. Of course, I would like to play against Rafa (Nadal) in the quarter-finals. He's number one and just completed the career Grand Slam. He's a great champion."

Del Potro gets his Thailand Open campaign underway tomorrow against Olivier Rochus.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw