Delray Beach International Tennis Championships

Del Potro powers past Tipsarevic to win Delray Beach ITC

By David Sedore, Palm Beach Business.com

Juan Martin del Potro kisses his surgically repaired wrist after defeating Janko Tipsarevic to win the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. It was his first victory since 2009.

DELRAY BEACH — Juan Martin del Potro says his game is not yet back to where it two years ago when he beat Raphael Nadel and Roger Federer in consecutive sets to win the U.S. Open.

Heaven help his opponents on the ATP World Tour when it does get there.

Del Potro of Argentina defeated Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-4, 6-4 Sunday afternoon to win the finals of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. It was del Porto’s first win after missing most of 2010 with a wrist injury and subsequent surgery. He repeatedly kissed his right wrist after winning the match.

“It’s amazing to me this comeback,” Del Potro said.

Del Potro didn’t play his best match of the tournament, appearing tired and missing some easy shots early in the match. It was his first afternoon match of the week, and the weather conditions worked against him.

“It was very hot, and of course I felt it,” del Potro said. “In a final match, you think you have a chance to win even if you’re playing badly.”

Tipsarevic got off to a solid start, taking a 4-1 lead in the first set. He had a chance to break del Potro’s serve and take a 5-1 lead but couldn’t pull it off. Throughtout the match, Tipsarevic had 11 chances to break del Potro but managed to do it only once.

“He won the first set not playing his game,” Tipsarevic said. “It’s no shame to lose to him. The way I lost is what’s making me a little bit pissed.

“One of 11 on break points is completely unacceptable. I just didn’t execute well.”

Two weeks ago, Del Potro ranked 484 in world; after reaching the semifinals in San Jose and Memphis he came into Delray ranked 166th. Del Porto said he needs about 20 to 25 matches before he’s ready to take on the game’s top players again.

“It’s coming soon,” del Porto said.

Earlier in the day Americans Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram defeated German Christopher Kas and Austrian Alexander Peyaa 4-6, 6-4, 10-3 to win the finals of the doubles competition.

The 2012 Delray ITC is set to begin Feb. 27, one week later than this year's tournament.

Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic has his chances to win his first ATP champsionship against Juan Martin del Potro.

Juan Martin del Potro didn't play his best Sunday but still had enough to win his first tournament of the year.