TENNIS in DEPTH.

Del Potro, expected to go deep into the tournament on the back of a French Open semi-final run, as well as being placed in the section of the draw stripped of injured champion Rafael Nadal, admitted he had been in awe of Hewitt when he was younger.

“He’s one of my idols. I started to follow him was when I was young, like 11 years, 12 years-old,” said the 20-year-old Argentine.

Hewitt finds it amusing to have hero status.

Hewitt’s next assignment is a match-up with Germany’s Philipp Petzschner for a place in the last 16 with potential clashes against Andy Roddick and Andy Murray further into the second week.

Hewitt believes he still has the game to worry the top players.

“There’s been patches this year when I’ve played extremely well. It’s taken some of the best players to beat me in the bigger tournaments,” he said.

“I think if draws open up and the body feels good and I can play and execute that kind of style of tennis for over five sets, there’s no reason why I can’t put a bit of pressure on these guys.”

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