Juan Martin Del Potro Wins First Clay Match In Three Years In Munich, Gael Monfils Withdraws

by Staff | April 27th, 2016, 2:06 pm
  • 19 Comments

Juan Martin del Potro began his 2016 clay season on a positive note beating Dustin Brown 7-6(2), 6-2 on a chilly day at the Munich Open. The victory was the Argentine’s first on clay in almost three years since beating Andrey Kuznetsov in 2013 Rome.

“I’m very happy to win my first match in three years on clay,” del Potro said. “I was quite nervous at the end of the match and didn’t serve as well as I did early in the match. He played better in the end too. But for the conditions, we played a nice match.

“I feel better. I am starting to hit my topspin backhand, which is what I need on this surface. I am looking forward to getting even better and hitting harder on my backhand.”


The 337th-ranked Del Potro moves on to face another German, Jan Lennard Struff, in the second round tomorrow.

Other winners in Munich included Dominic Thiem, Fabio Fognini and German teen Alexander Zverev.

Second seed Gael Monfils said the cold weather may have aggravated a groin injury which forced him out of the tournament for the third straight year.

Top seed David Goffin begins play Thursday. Because of bad weather, all matches were canceled on Tuesday.

THURSDAY MUNICH SCHEDULE
CENTRE COURT start 11:00 am
[5] F. Fognini (ITA) vs M. Kukushkin (KAZ)

Not Before 1:30 pm
L. Rosol (CZE) vs [8] A. Zverev (GER)
[Q] F. Mayer (GER) vs [4] P. Kohlschreiber (GER)

Not Before 5:00 pm
J. Struff (GER) vs [WC] J. del Potro (ARG)

COURT 1 start 11:00 am
[Q] I. Sijsling (NED) vs [LL] J. Kovalik (SVK)
[1] D. Goffin (BEL) vs V. Estrella Burgos (DOM)
M. Elgin (RUS) / D. Istomin (UZB) vs [4] J. Knowle (AUT) / A. Peya (AUT)
[3] H. Kontinen (FIN) / J. Peers (AUS) vs [WC] A. Zverev (GER) / M. Zverev (GER)


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19 Comments for Juan Martin Del Potro Wins First Clay Match In Three Years In Munich, Gael Monfils Withdraws

RZ Says:

I’m glad that DelPo’s comeback is going well. Hopefully he can stay injury-free from now on.


Okiegal Says:

I know that win felt so good for him. Good to see him on the court again…..hopefully he can stay healthy! Good luck JMD!!


Okiegal Says:

His face looks very thin in the pic above….of course it could be an old one.


jalep Says:

Delpo looks so darn cute — maybe even a bit smug after his win 😌 Vamos Delpo! Hope the weather improves in Munich.

Happy to see Sascha get revenge for Barcelona over Jaziri.

Happy to see Kyrgios won his first match in Estoril, too!

Vesely will have to win in 3, if he wins at all. Carballes-Baena won the 1st set. All matches in Istanbul going 3 sets today – maybe.


Green Lady Says:

Nice to have him back, i wish him well for the rest of the year, and fingers crossed for no more injuries ….


Dave Says:

I think clay could actually end up being Delpo’s best surface DURING his recovery process getting into form again. It gives him more time to hit the backhand and run around to hit that rock of a forehand. He might actually be able to beat some top players on this surface.


Wog Boy Says:

Besides Delpo, Tipsy is back playing his first tournament after God knows how long absence, he plays challenger in Ostrawa. He is trying to make top 100 by the end of the year. I just wish him to get there and finish his career on his terms and not injury terms.
If he can get back to decent form it’ll be very helpful for DC match in a case Andy and Nole decide not to play it.


Humble Rafa Says:

Whatever he is drinking, I don’t want that.


chrisford1 Says:

Humble – Yerba Mate tea. National beverage of Argentina. With traditional silver straw. Try it. Chances are you won’t like it unless you like bitter. But worth a shot. A digestive and energy drink. Look up an Argentinian restaurant near you. Of course, the best feature would be Argie-seasoned grilled grass fed beef with Chimichanga sauce on the side. With an Andes foothills red wine.

On Delpo – he IS very good on clay when at 100%. One of the great overlooked classic matches was the sensational Federer-Del Potro one in the 2009 French Open semi. The French for a long time were fools about rebroadcasting or leasing broadcast rights to French Open matches, refusing to. I missed seeing it and couldn’t find it anywhere later on for a long while. It took me a couple years to locate a DVD someone made.

On Tipsarevic – a premiere player who at one time was in the Top 10. And my thoughts are the same as Wog Boys. Andy and Novak should decide to “save it” for the Olympics and the big ATP Tour events that they are obligated to be in. If they do so, then Janko could be a big factor in which way it goes.


gee Says:

Uncle Fed could have a 0.0001+ infinity chance of winning French Open.
He clearly isn’t mocking anyone for being at a “low level” anymore. What a pity.


Green Lady Says:

He already won it, so i doubt its really big on his priorities when it comes to winning another GS, theres no pressure anymore ….


Green Lady Says:

Great win for Delpo, i thought he would cruise through in straight sets, but when your on a come back, i suppose you have to expect ups and downs, early days yet, but looks promising ….


Daniel Says:

Another win today, tomorrow Kohlsh which is gonna be a tough test. hope he wins it as well.


J-Kath Says:

In case you missed it on other thread, Roger is playing Madrid.


Green Lady Says:

Cheers J-Kath, great news to have everyone on board, all the big players in one event ;-)) ….


J-Kath Says:

Yes GL – The schedule will be out today. Then we’ll all start worrying, or not….


Giles Says:

Delpo knocked out by Kohli.


RZ Says:

Kohls is having a pretty decent year so far.

Someone else having a pretty good year is Federico Delbonis.


J-Kath Says:

Delpo following a dream…sad to say…

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