Juan Martin del Potro advances to Delray Beach quarterfinals
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) Juan Martin del Potro won consecutive matches for the first time in more than a year, beating qualifier John-Patrick Smith 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday night in the Delray Beach Open.
Del Potro, out for 11 months with two left wrist surgeries last year, reached his first ATP quarterfinal since Sydney last January.
Smith attempted to exploit del Potro's backhand, a shot that the Argentine has had to alter from his customary two-hander to a one-handed slice due to the injury. But the 2009 U.S. Open champ was quick enough to run around the backhand and pummel forehands deep into the court.
Smith, a 27-year-old Australian, squandered early breaks in both sets. He broke del Potro when the Argentine was serving for the match but then promptly lost his own service game.
