Del Potro rocks Rio with upset win over Djokovic

Juan Martin del Potro has proved his still one of the best and most dangerous competitors in men’s tennis after beating world No.1 Novak Djokovic in the first round of the Olympic Tennis Event.

It was an terrible draw for the top-seeded Djokovic; his quest for an elusive Olympic gold medal came to an end at the very first hurdle.

Del Potro – who had been trapped in a lift in his hotel for 40 minutes earlier in the day en route to the Olympic Tennis Centre – closed out a 7-6(4) 7-6(2) win in two and a half hours.

It was his second victory over the Serb at an Olympic event – at London 2012, del Potro upset Djokovic in the bronze medal match.

Huge upset as @delpotrojuan #ARG eliminates world no. 1 @djokernole #SRB from #Rio2016 #Tennis https://t.co/77IcikbAWA

— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 8, 2016

The weight and depth of del Potro’s shots – particularly that patented forehand – proved decisive.

He pinned Djokovic behind the baseline in rallies and consistently displayed the ability to end them with a single swipe of the racquet.

Even his double-handed backhand – so affected by his troublesome left wrist injury – seemed to hold up well in the baseline exchanges.

“It was a great atmosphere and a great match for me. I hit my forehand as hard as I can, I hit a lot of winners, I served well and my backhand was okay. I tried just to put in court the ball and put in good slices as well,” del Potro reflected.

“I didn’t expect to beat Novak tonight. It’s an amazing night for me.”

The Argentine is ranked 141st, having only played eight events this year prior to the Rio Games and entering the Olympics with the help of a protected ranking.

He had previously been sidelined for 11 months with a left wrist injury.

Del Potro next faces Portugal’s Joao Sousa.

Heaving sobs from Del Potro as he sits down, but Djokovic is crying tears of pain as he leaves court… Crushed. What scenes #Rio2016

— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) August 8, 2016

“Delpo was just a better player and he deserved to win, that’s just sport. At decisive moments he came up with some extraordinary tennis and I just have to congratulate him,” Djokovic said.

“It’s obviously very sad and disappointing to go out in a tournament this early but on the other hand I am glad a good friend of mine and someone who has struggled a lot in the last couple of years is back and plays at this level.

“No doubt it is one of the toughest losses in my life and in my career, it’s not easy to handle especially now just after the match, the wounds are still fresh, but you gotta deal with it.

“It’s not the first time I am losing a match but Olympics Games is completely different.”