Prospects for Del Potro in 2013

What sort of a year do people think Del Potro will have in 2013? Ironically in 2012 his most notable performances came on his weakest surface, grass, in the Olympics tournament, where he managed to follow-up his epic loss to Federer with a win over Djokovic to claim Bronze medal.

Australian Open he had an early loss to the talented but inconsistent Chardy. For me, a player like Chardy is a good barometer of where a player is. Chardy hit some great shots in that match - lovely tennis, but I got the feeling that if Federer, Djokovic or Murray had played him in that form, they would have found a way to win, even if outplayed.

Del Potro also tends to struggle against Ferrer, a player who he'll typically have to face in quarter-finals of big tournaments before one of the top 4 players in semi-final. For me, I still don't think Del Potro has quite regained the level he had before his injury problems - not quite as sharp in tie-breaks and seems to have lost a little bit of intensity.

However, I think there are opportunities for him over the coming months. He has a chance to do well in the 2 Spring Masters Series events at Indian Wells and Miami, what with Nadal 'still nursing his knees', Federer on lighter schedule than previously, and Djokovic unlikely to repeat his 2011 exploits. A good hardcourt Spring could really see Del Potro building his confidence up again.

Regarding Roland Garros, whilst Federer would probably be 3rd favourite ahead of Del Potro, both Nadal and Djokovic will have lots of pressure on them, Del Potro has pushed Federer before at Roland Garros and he could find himself with a good opportunity.

Wimbledon, despite DelPo's exploits on grass last year at Olympics, I really don't see him being a factor, but US Open, if he's played himself into form for then we could see him back towards his best.

In conclusion, whilst he is not quite up there with the top 4 at moment I do feel we shouldn't write him off, whilst we concentrate on Djokovic v Murray rivalry, Nadal's form after his mysterious absence and marvelling at Federer still being at top of the game.

NOt good if he can't figure out how to beat murray or djoko with any type of consistency they are the two dominant figures he will have to contend with over the long haul and his head to head against both players is pretty poor. He better figure it out and figure out soon. But I think Del Po will win another slam at some point and be a top competitor for some years to come. Barring injury of course.

I doubt we will see him in another Slam final, he has never recaptured his 2009 form. Probably never will.

Great article

socal1976 wrote:NOt good if he can't figure out how to beat murray or djoko with any type of consistency they are the two dominant figures he will have to contend with over the long haul and his head to head against both players is pretty poor. He better figure it out and figure out soon. But I think Del Po will win another slam at some point and be a top competitor for some years to come. Barring injury of course.

He'd be favourite to beat Murray on clay, so he'll be hoping to be in his quarter at RG. Mind you, so will everyone from 5-8. And I'd put them all as favourites against Andy on the dirt.

But on all other surfaces, I would say all of the top guys will have the edge over Delpo. I just think all round he's not in the same league as those guys since his injury. Sometimes players never get back to their best and it might just be that Delpo has already had his peak and will never get back there.

My faves for RG:

1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Del Potro
4. Murray
5. Tsonga
6. Berdych
7. Ferrer
8. Nadal
9. Almagro

I'd put Berdych and Tsonga above Murray IMBL. Maybe Ferrer too.

I'd be very happy with another quarter final at RG for Murray. Any further may depend on a fortunate draw or QF opponent losing early.

Remember he's never reached a clay final in his entire career... In ANY tournament.

Amrit, taking expectation management to new levels

bogbrush wrote:Amrit, taking expectation management to new levels

The battle between Nicolas and Rafa for eight favourite was a close one, but I gave the edge to Rafa

Danny_1982 wrote:I'd put Berdych and Tsonga above Murray IMBL. Maybe Ferrer too.

I'd be very happy with another quarter final at RG for Murray. Any further may depend on a fortunate draw or QF opponent losing early.

Remember he's never reached a clay final in his entire career... In ANY tournament.

He'll surprise you this year

It Must Be Love wrote:

Danny_1982 wrote:

He'll surprise you this year

I also expect Andy to put in better clay court performances this year.

2011 Murray was really good on clay; troubling Nadal and Djokovic in 3 setters, also reaching the SF if RG.

But 2012 was really poor, littered with early losses, and was poor in a defeat to David Ferrer.
This year I expect him to reach the semis again.

he didn't really face any of the contenders you listed in his semi final run of '11 did he? Until nadal obvs.

Chela in the qf's? taken to 5 sets by troicki? Admittedly he did do very well to get to the semi's plus he rolled his ankle pretty badly, but he didn't face a DP a berdych, a soderling, a ferrer or almagro. I think if he had say even as early as a round 3 or 4 (DP or bellucci maybe) he may have been knocked out.

He just doesn't move nearly as well on the clay, like the other 3 do which is a big loss for him.

Going back to Delpo, I do not know about him. I thought he would be able to start threatening top 4 (sorry David, that is not about you), but he has been back for a while now and seems to have reached a plateau at a level that is not good enough. At this point, I would expect he will not do anything special this year - if by special we mean winning a slam. Maybe reach a final if the stars align.

I am starting to view him as being more in the Tsonga/Berdych tier where previously I would have put him above those two.

He doesn't look to have the stamina to win another slam imo - big guy takes a long time for the blood to pump around his frame etc

At USO 2009 he carved through the opposition quite easily until the final, Cilic had thoughtfully removed Murray and then Delpo had the good fortune to meet an under par Rafa in the semis and so he had plenty in the tank especially as his participation in the 1st set of the final was minimal. Credit must go to him for being a big match player and seizing his chances and refusing to be overawed in a major final.

How many times, given the top four guys, after 6 rounds of bo5 is he going to be given the opportunity to reach a final as fresh as a daisy - that is probably the most pertinent question about his chances. If that kind of luck in the run up happens before a major final again, then I would fancy him to fight tooth and nail for the big prize, but I don't fancy him to make a fight of it 3, or even 2, matches in a row.

It Must Be Love wrote:My faves for RG:

1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Del Potro
4. Murray
5. Tsonga
6. Berdych
7. Ferrer
8. Nadal
9. Almagro

Let's be honest, you're not fooling anyone with that. I agree with BB's comment!

You may as well have just gone the whole hog and put Almagro above Rafa,and why not Monaco? How about Rosol?

I see Del Potro as the 5th best player still, although what we can expect from him has fallen back a little in recent months as he seemed to stop rising in the rankings and level off.

I see him reaching a slam semi and maybe a final at most...It's about time he won a Masters series.

Maybe he won the US Open because he didn't realise he was writing cheques his body couldn't cash. In other words, that wrist action was always a risk of causing a problem, and it will always be on his mind when he plays now, limiting his ability to send bomb after bomb after bomb.

IMVHO I think Del Potro won't win another Slam. I think the wrist injury as unlucky as it was completely disrupted and dismantled his momentum. I don't think he is the same player. He has had troubles with both wrists. The BH has certainly lost it's zip. He tends to suffer a lot more with niggles and really it is difficult to see him really progress through to the latter stages of Slams especially.

I hope he can remain a fixture in the top 10 and win a Masters. A force of player prior to injury.

It Must Be Love wrote:My faves for RG:

1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Del Potro
4. Murray
5. Tsonga
6. Berdych
7. Ferrer
8. Nadal
9. Almagro

I actually put Murray above Del Potro. There is no reason with the new forehand why he can't do well. Moreover, I reckon he will think it's time he did well - last year i stated at the time that he would be too focused on refining his game, with Lendl, to have an affect in time for the dirt

Don't see Del Potro troubling Murray on clay - where Murray has beaten him in the past. He'll simply draw him in with numerous drop shots and tire the poor boy, before, like a shark, finishing him off

Could be a surprisingly good year for Andy on the dirt

How you're right banbro.

Can't see it myself as he has never moved well on clay and is not a natural slider. But we'll see.

My favorites would be in this orde

1. Djoko
2. Nadal
3. Federer
4. Murray
5. Delpo

and I can't see anyone else even having an outside chance at it so they are not worth talking about. Del Po is a distant dark horse as well.

I might be tempted to put Berdych ahead of Delpo. He has a RG semi final under his belt already and has done better than Delpo the last 2 slams.

I think I'd put Berdy above Murray to be honest.

1 Nadal
2 Djokovic

3 Federer
4 Murray


5. Ferrer
6. Del Potro
7. Berdych
8. Tsonga

HB you have a lot of faith in Del Po I would not favor him in a match against Djokovic on the clay although I said the same thing in the olympics. Still in a slam on that surface I favor Djokovic then Nadal this year. Plus where is nadal assuming he is playing, which seems like a fair bet.

There's 2 Delpo's??

danny DP was pretty close to beating feds at RG last year in the qf's and the semi's in 09, so don't count him out just yet

It Must Be Love wrote:My faves for RG:

1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Del Potro
4. Murray
5. Tsonga
6. Berdych
7. Ferrer
8. Nadal
9. Almagro

Oh please IMBL.....

We've all heard of double bluffs, this is more like a quadruple one.

Let's stop these games right now. We all know that the favourite for RG is the guy who has already won it 7 times. Find me any bookie - let alone a tennis pundit - who puts him eighth and I'll eat as many hats as you like.

Mind you, I guess putting him way down there gives you the option of saying "amazing.... He couldn't play the tour for months on end and he can still come back and take the trophy home again. What a guy.

Heroic even

I agree that its about time Del Po won a Masters Series title. I do think he has a good chance of that (or at least reaching a final) at Indian Wells or Miami this year, and doing that would boost his confidence. What's in Del Potro's favour is that he's won a slam before and knows what it takes - his temperament is generally good. What's going against him is his poor recent record against the 'big 4', although I would argue that he's not been at his best in a number of those matches.

As for the Nadal discussions, I'll leave my thoughts on Rafa for another more directly Nadal related thread!

2bh I think he needs to worry about getting past the likes of chardy and ferrer 2bh, players he is v.capable of beating, yet isn't. Each slam he should be aiming at least for a QF. If he gets murray in his section at the french i feel that could be his best shot to go deep.

Bookies wouldn't put Nadal 8th because of the financial risk of putting Nadal at 50/1, as Tsonga is priced at Bet365 at the moment. Nadal is 5/6 favourite at the moment, however one can say I think Nadal will be half the player he was and others can say he'll be the same, but the truth is neither of us really know.

Murray is actually placed at shorter odds than Federer, but one assumes this is to try and nullify some of the "home" betting that will go on.

lags72 wrote:

It Must Be Love wrote:My faves for RG:

1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Del Potro
4. Murray
5. Tsonga
6. Berdych
7. Ferrer
8. Nadal
9. Almagro

Oh please IMBL.....

We've all heard of double bluffs, this is more like a quadruple one.

Let's stop these games right now. We all know that the favourite for RG is the guy who has already won it 7 times. Find me any bookie - let alone a tennis pundit - who puts him eighth and I'll eat as many hats as you like.

Mind you, I guess putting him way down there gives you the option of saying "amazing.... He couldn't play the tour for months on end and he can still come back and take the trophy home again. What a guy.

Heroic even

Heroic and charitable.

I was disappointed that del Po did not do better at the AO last month. He seemed to be getting back to his best at the end of 2012 but, like others, I now wonder if he is ever going to be able to challenge the big four - at least before Roger packs it in.
The pity of it is that he may just be the only one with the weapons to make more of a contest of it at the very top. His fans will hope he sticks with it and blossoms again. He's still comparatively young.

bogbrush wrote:I doubt we will see him in another Slam final, he has never recaptured his 2009 form. Probably never will.

Its pity DP could never do it, I doubt too that he will get anywhere near his best, but its still fun to watch when he plays his best , he is still far more entertaining player than Nole is and certainly far more humble person win or loss when compared to the Socalled current transition no.1

Unless Del Potro finds a way to best Michael chang's weak sister, otherwise known as world #1 Novak Djokovic, and Andy murray; he isn't going to win another slam. He has to get to the point where he can score enough wins against those guys that he could have a chance at a slam. Those two are super consistent now and one or both are going to be in del po's slam path.

I think he could still win slams, but needs to start winning some Masters first.

I think he has to be able to win 5 set matches against murray or Djoko or it is going to be a tough haul CAS, I think he will get better and has it in him to do it at least for a fortnight or two. But he will have to get significantly better because michael chang's weak sister will cut through this Del Potro like a hot knife through butter.

Delpo lost to Simon @Open 13.

invisiblecoolers wrote:

bogbrush wrote:I doubt we will see him in another Slam final, he has never recaptured his 2009 form. Probably never will.

Its pity DP could never do it, I doubt too that he will get anywhere near his best, but its still fun to watch when he plays his best , he is still far more entertaining player than Nole is and certainly far more humble person win or loss when compared to the Socalled current transition no.1

I agree with you ic.. I love watching DP when he is firing on all four cylinders .. sadly we dont see much of that these days.. since his injury he seems not to be the player he once was .. he has a great game but mentally fragile . He has a run of a few bad shots and cant seem to bring himself back into the game.
Entertaining player nonetheless

invisiblecoolers wrote:... he is still far more entertaining player than Nole is and certainly far more humble person win or loss when compared to the Socalled current transition no.1

You are being very brutal to Djoker, iC. He is doing the best he can and using the opportunities that come his way.

invisiblecoolers wrote:

bogbrush wrote:I doubt we will see him in another Slam final, he has never recaptured his 2009 form. Probably never will.

Its pity DP could never do it, I doubt too that he will get anywhere near his best, but its still fun to watch when he plays his best , he is still far more entertaining player than Nole is and certainly far more humble person win or loss when compared to the Socalled current transition no.1

Yes when that transition last 5 years we can compare how Djokovic dominated his transitional era and how fed dominated his. Djokovic has way more variety and shots than Del PO that is principally why he beats Del PO. Who is entertaining but plays only one way and is a bit repetitive in his approach. Although he has worked a great deal on his variety and is much better, just not as good as the pace-setters Djokovic and then Murray.

socal1976 wrote:
Djokovic has way more variety and shots than Del PO that is principally why he beats Del PO. Who is entertaining but plays only one way and is a bit repetitive in his approach.

SO according to your logic Nadal has more shots than Djokovic

No I don't see how you can draw that conclusion from my statement comparing Del Po and Djoko. Djoko has more variety than Del Potro anyone can see that, and it has nothing to do with slam count or even head to head. Novak is a more versatile player who can attack, defend, and is a more frequent and superior volleyer to del po. I didn't even mention nadal and wasn't comparing him in anyway, you just made that up.

No more slams for John Master of the Horse.

It's not hard to have more variety than Delpo is it. He bludgeons FHs and BHs, he's the Ronseal of tennis. But mighty good at it when on song.
To be fair socal you're the one who started going on about Djokovic in a Delpo thread...if you bring him up, others will bring Nadal, Fed, etc up...that's just the way it goes on these forums, you must know that by now...

Having watched Del Potro play in Rotterdam, I would say he is a far better all-round player than he was in 2009. He's added some variety to his game and still has the mind-blowing power.

I think people are forgetting that the US Open triumph was somewhat out of the blue. The rest of the season he was comfortably below the top 4 - in other words more or less exactly where he is now. He played great tennis in those two weeks in NY and took advantage of all the top 4 being out of sorts for one reason or another. However, with his relatively limited movement it is always going to be difficult for him to compete against those guys consistently.

I do agree with BS, del po is much better up in the court and with his touch shots when compared to his past. We must remember that these players all have evolved and become better and better. That is what I find fascinating about this period that the big stars lik Djoko, Nadal, Murray, and to lesser extent Del PO are so much different and better in their weak areas when compared to a few years ago. Yet many crticis continue to attack them for some perceived weakness from 3 or 4 years ago.

As to LYdian, I actually am not frightened by comparisons of Djokovic to other greats past or present. I think my record is quite clear on that point. The thread was about del po, my point was that del po needs to work on his variety to best Djoko and Murray the two guys he will have to fight for hardcourt slams. Djoko in my mind is just as varied if not more varied than Nadal and if you want to have that debate I am more than happy to.

he's still the only one outside of the top 4 where it wouldn't be a surprise if he won a slam in my opinion. Tsonga and Berdych are giant killers not winners of the whole thing.

Born Slippy wrote:Having watched Del Potro play in Rotterdam, I would say he is a far better all-round player than he was in 2009. He's added some variety to his game and still has the mind-blowing power.

I think people are forgetting that the US Open triumph was somewhat out of the blue. The rest of the season he was comfortably below the top 4 - in other words more or less exactly where he is now. He played great tennis in those two weeks in NY and took advantage of all the top 4 being out of sorts for one reason or another. However, with his relatively limited movement it is always going to be difficult for him to compete against those guys consistently.

I don't agree he was comfortably below the top 4.
DP: He reached the quarters at aus (better than murray and same as djoko), semi's at RG (better than djoko and murray) and obvs won US open.
He reached his first masters final and reached the wtf's final and at the start of 2010 he overtook murray to become 4th seed.

All of that for me does not constitute as being "comfortably below the top 4."

Luvsports is correct.
To add to this Del Potro's form just before the US was superb.