TENNIS in DEPTH.

Juan Martin Del Potro stunned everyone last September when he battled his way through the draw at the US Open and then claimed an upset victory over world number one Roger Federer to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows. Now the 21-year old Argentine is set to electrify his many fans on centre court at the Dubai Tennis Stadium as he bids to add another title to his growing portfolio.

“I know it’s a great tournament, great city,” he said of Dubai.

“It has tall buildings like Manhattan, so just maybe the setting will mean I can play similar tennis in Dubai as I did in New York,” he added.

However, his US Open triumph was not the only success that Del Potro has enjoyed in his still-short career. In 2008 he finished the season as the youngest player in the top 10 after reaching five finals and winning four titles, and he helped Argentina to the Davis Cup final against Spain. Then, last year he once again ended the year as the youngest player in the top 10, earning a personal-best ranking of number five in the world.

 Despite everything else he has achieved, it was the US Open that made Del Potro’s name, and he is hoping that a similar big-city environment that he says exists in both New York City and Dubai will provide him with the same motivation and luck.

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