Wild card
Justine Henin is making a comeback to the women's tour and was granted a wild card to the Open
About Australian Open
During the 2009 Australian Open, get the latest open news and views at Betting@Betfair, including the best tips available and all the betting information you need.
Roger Federer is always the man to beat?
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BRAD'S TIP: Del Potro proved at the US Open he has the game to dispose of the top players, at times with ease. If he can put it all together in Australia then he can take home his second grand slam, but he has also been known to be susceptible early on in tournaments of the past. Lets hope that flaw in his game is behind him. Perhaps wait until he reaches the quarter finals and really switches on his 'A' game before backing him. |
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Juan Martin Del Potro is arguably the next big thing in tennis, with his brand of devastating tennis belying his number five world ranking. The big Argentine looks the main danger to tournament favourite Roger Federer, and with all due respect to Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, he looms as the serious challenger capable of genuinely throwing down the gauntlet to the world number one.
His performance at the 2009 US Open when disposing of Roger Federer was nothing short of dominating. The match reached five sets, but Del Potro's victory over his highly credentialed opponent could have been over in straight sets if it weren't for Federer's fighting spirit to win two sets deep into tie-breaks.
Del Potro has worked hard on developing his serve and volley game, an area he identified as crucial in redefining if he wanted to consistently conquer the world's best players. If he can master this aspect of his game at Melbourne Park, his progressive game becomes even more potent.
The 21-year-old's recent form is hard to decipher, Del Potro's lead up to the World Tour Final in London was hindered by niggling injuries. He was forced to retire in Shanghai and Paris with back and wrist problems, but resumed in London defeating an in-form Robin Soderling and Swiss ace Roger Federer en-route to the final. He was no match for a red-hot Nikolay Davydenko who proved too strong, easing past Del Potro 6-3, 6-4.
If past performances in the Australian Open are any indication, then it's hard to advise putting your hard earned on the enigmatic Argentine. He has appeared on our shores three times, twice bowing out in the second round, however, both times to worthy opponents seeded in the top 10. Last year he was able to produce a more favourable showing, reaching the quarter finals but was downed by Roger Federer comprehensively, winning just three games.
But Del Potro's game has flourished in 2009, and it seems to be continually improving. If he can advance to the last four, he will cause some headaches. For him, it's just a matter of getting there.
DEL POTRO'S DRAW: TBA
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