Del Potro Receives Indian Wells Wild Card
Del Potro Receives Indian Wells Wild Card
Argentine to continue comeback at BNP Paribas Open
Juan Martin del Potro will continue his comeback at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells next week after being award a wild card into the main draw along with several fast-rising young Amercians.
The Argentine, who missed most of 2015 due to left wrist surgery, made a successful return to the ATP World Tour in Delray Beach in February, losing in the semi-finals to eventual champion Sam Querrey.
“This week I won more than a tournament,” del Potro said after the loss. “I am so glad to play tennis again.”
The 2013 finalist (l. to Nadal) will take part in his second tournament of the year. The former No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings is 16-5 at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.
Joining del Potro in the Indian Wells as main draw wild cards will be American youngsters Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Mackenzie McDonald and in-form veteran Rajeev Ram, who has battled – and fallen – in the qualifying rounds in four of the past five years in the desert. He is seeking his first main-draw win at the event.
Fritz is having a breakout 2016 season, moving into the Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings for the first time after making the final of Memphis and the quarter-finals of Acapulco. The 18 year old, ranked No. 81, will make his main draw debut at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.
Receiving a wild card into the qualifying draw is American Brian Baker. Baker had been out of action due to injury since 2013 before making his return to competition at the 2016 Australian Open (l. to Bolelli in the first round). It remains his only appearance of the year.