Del Potro makes winning return

Juan Martin del Potro returned to professional tennis with a 6-1 6-4 victory over American Denis Kudla in the first round of the Delray Beach Open on Tuesday.

The Argentine was playing his first ATP match in 11 months following a left wrist injury that has sidelined him since a first-round loss in Miami last March.

The 27-year-old del Potro has faced four surgeries – one on his right wrist and three on his left – since defeating Roger Federer to win the 2009 US Open. He played just four matches last year and 10 in 2014.

The 23-year-old Kudla was no match for a surprisingly consistent del Potro, who lost just 10 points on his serve in the match, five of them on double faults. He also had five aces.

Del Potro next faces Australian qualifier John-Patrick Smith.

(photo credit: CameraSport)

Juan Martin del Potro in action during his first-round victory over Denis Kudla at the Delray Beach Open; photo credit CameraSport

Juan Martin del Potro in action during his first-round victory over Denis Kudla at the Delray Beach Open; photo credit CameraSport

Juan Martin del Potro celebrates his first-round victory over Denis Kudla at the Delray Beach Open; photo credit CameraSport

Juan Martin del Potro celebrates his first-round victory over Denis Kudla at the Delray Beach Open; photo credit CameraSport