Juan Martin Del Potro is back in the saddle competing again on the ATP Tour after a long hiatus. But he’s clearly not quite the same force he used to be. The serve and forehand are still potent weapons but the backhand does not have the same range of motion in the left wrist and thus the once lethal shot is considerably weakened. Delpo’s suffering was on display today vs Tomas Berdych as he lost 76 62. Del Potro fought off a slew of match points in the 51 game but his agony was apparent. The great warrior was a better player than Berdych – at his best – but the new version of Del Potro just can’t handle Berdych anymore. This is a painfully bitter pill for any player to endure – losing to players you know you used to beat and should beat. Delpo expressed his agony in the last game of the match by dropping his racquet over his shoulder after an error and posing for a second as Jesus Christ being crucified on the cross. Then another lost point on break point saw Delpo bent over in pain in the back corner of the court. Delpo than tried to make light of his torture by giving his racquet to the fan in the first row – the old: ‘I stink maybe you can do better’ schtick – Delpo lost the next three points and the match was over. Berdych shook hands with Delpo at the net and told his rival “It’s great to have you back.” Delpo didn’t really acknowledge the sportsmanship though. He’s probably too frustrated dealing with the reality that he may never be the Grand Slam superpower he once was. 2012 Roland Garros France Outdoor Clay R16 Juan Martin Del Potro 766 16 63 75
2012 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Madrid Spain Outdoor Clay SF Tomas Berdych 765 766
2012 Rotterdam Netherlands Indoor Hard SF Juan Martin Del Potro 63 61
2009 CZE vs. ARG WG QF Czech Republic RR Juan Martin Del Potro 64 64 64
2009 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Spain Outdoor Clay R32 Juan Martin Del Potro 62 41 RET
2008 Tokyo Japan Outdoor Hard F Tomas Berdych 61 64
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Scoop Malinowski · March 12, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Delpo at his best was one of the few players who could threaten Djokovic but it’s hard to see that ever happening again with Delpo’s handicapped backhand –
Moskova Moskova · March 12, 2016 at 7:10 pm
That’s really too bad….delpo was the real deal – nonetheless, still one better than a no-slam-wonder 😉
Scoop Malinowski · March 12, 2016 at 7:39 pm
Delpo is a legend – one major in this era equates to two or three in other eras – hope Delpo proves me wrong and finds a way to the top of the mountain again – doesn’t matter what any pundit or hacker believes – what matters is what Delpo believes –
Scoop Malinowski · March 12, 2016 at 7:42 pm
RANDOm Thoughts: mizuno is making serious inroads as several players are wearing the new mizuno shoes – Ramos Vinolas and Baghdatis and Dodig and a few others – also there are a lot of players using Yonex racquets – there is a shift happening in tennis equipment and attire –
Bryan · March 12, 2016 at 8:09 pm
Delpo is one of my FAVs and seeing him get manhandled by Berdych is sad to watch. He has no backhand at all, just a weak slice. All anyone has to do is bang at his backhand and it’s game set match.
When his comeback started and he went deep at Delray I was thinking the first time Delpo steps up to Djokovic will be comical in a black-humor way because Djoker will fire every single shot at his BH. It’s already not funny.
Harold · March 13, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Zverev/Dimitrov coming up soon. Dimitrov cant start losing to the next gen. Think he needs the win way more.
Scoop Malinowski · March 13, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Harold: For sure Dimitrov can’t afford a loss today to Zverev – a loss today may officially begin the re-characterization process of Super G as a the once ballyhooed future super star into the more suitable ‘underachiever/journeyman’ status – huge stakes today for Dimitrov he needs to win this match or else he becomes an outer court player –
Scoop Malinowski · March 13, 2016 at 4:49 pm
Superb win for Zverev – down 0-2 and love 40 in third set but fought back to win that game and ultimately the third set 75 – the teenager outsmarted and outcooled G Force at the end with some help from a net cord winner off a backhand rip up the line which earned him two match points of which Zverev converted the second one when Dimitrov hit an unfriendly net cord with a forehand up the line – another monumental win by young Zverev – and another heartbreaker for Dimitrov who has stagnated – the stoic and frozen coach Davin looked lost and helpless at courtside – unable to do anything to revive the sinking career of Dimitrov –
Moskova Moskova · March 14, 2016 at 5:43 pm
Let’s not use super g or g force, scoop ;)…..just dimi, grigor, or baby-fed for now lol
Thomas Tung · March 14, 2016 at 6:06 pm
I’m with MM here. Dimitrov hasn’t proven to be as reliable as a G-Shock watch, for what it’s worth …
Andrew Miller · March 14, 2016 at 7:08 pm
Super g JV?
Andrew Miller · March 14, 2016 at 7:59 pm
Fratangelo got a set off Djoker. Some U.S. player usually surprises everyone at Indian Wells.
Moskova Moskova · March 14, 2016 at 10:09 pm
Bjorn-mania has officially begun….strike up the band LOL 😉
Scoop Malinowski · March 15, 2016 at 8:55 am
G Force and Super G are nicknames of Dimitrov – he told me this when we did a Biofile interview – I will continue to call him by his nicknames –
catherine bell · March 15, 2016 at 11:06 am
Bit off the point here but it’s a bit of trivia which has been bothering me – since when did sports scores, not just tennis, start getting printed the wrong way around ?
Surely Delpo lost 6-7 2-6 not 7-6 6-2 ? Really doesn’t make sense otherwise. Why change the former style ?
Scoop Malinowski · March 15, 2016 at 11:32 am
Sorry for confusion Catherine 🙂 will try to straight that out 🙂
catherine bell · March 15, 2016 at 12:35 pm
It’s ok Scoop – as I said a bit of trivia and it’s right across the board in sport.. But when you see (I’m in UK) Man Utd lost 5-0 to Chelsea it does look a bit strange -although the result’s clear enough.
Scoop Malinowski · March 15, 2016 at 12:38 pm
Catherine: Please put the cap on the toothpaste 🙂
catherine bell · March 15, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Not sure if I deserve that ! A minor issue. Just a niggle about modern reporting.
I’ve thrown out the toothpaste and the cap.
Scoop Malinowski · March 15, 2016 at 7:42 pm
Catherine don’t throw out the baking soda and toothbrush 🙂 Gotta brush 3x a day 🙂 Agree with you on the scoring detail though you are right –
Andrew Miller · March 15, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Zverev vs Nadal? Could be one of those changing of guard matches. Up and coming teenager versus all time great.
Moskova Moskova · March 15, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Dimi has been demoted 😉
Scoop Malinowski · March 16, 2016 at 7:11 am
Fascinating duel Rafa vs Zverev – I like the kid to leave the mark of zverev on poor Rafa in this match 🙂