Hans Zimmer to reimagine Saudi national anthem and collaborate on future projects    Saudi Arabia's oil exports leap to 8-month peak in November    Maximum fine of SR900 for using mobile phone while driving    Al-Jadaan at WEF: Saudi Arabia achieves $200 in investment returns for every dollar it spends    Saudi House pavilion at WEF showcases Kingdom's key achievements and promising investment opportunities    Convicted US Capitol rioter turns down Trump pardon    "Theeb Rent a Car" receives two awards for Best New Sustainability Practices and Most Distinguished Company in Social Responsibility from The Global Economics    US tech giants announce AI plan worth up to $500bn    Israel's military chief resigns over 7 October 2023 failures    Dangerous drug-resistant bacteria are spreading in Ukraine    France issues health warning as tons 'aphrodisiac honey' seized    Tariffs on imports only way to get fairness, says Trump    24 Democratic states and cities sue over Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship    Al Nassr secures hard-fought 3-1 victory over Al Khaleej in Saudi Pro League    Al Hilal signs young Brazilian talent Kaio César from Vitória Guimarães    Roberto Firmino's volley secures Al Ahli's 2-1 win over Al Ettifaq    Saudi Arabia introduces national policy to eliminate forced labor    Al Hilal solidifies Saudi Pro League lead with a 4-1 victory over Al Wahda    Princess Hessa bint Salman attends launch of fashion design exhibition in Riyadh Princess Noura Al-Faisal: Art of Heritage showcases Saudi identity with a modern vision    Weight-loss drugs may boost health in many ways    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Del Potro to face Federer
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 25 - 03 - 2016

Juan Martin Del Potro, only three events into his comeback from left wrist surgery, has booked a second-round date Friday with fellow on-the-mend star Roger Federer at the Miami Open.
Argentina's Del Potro defeated countryman Guido Pella 6-0, 7-6 (7-4) Wednesday in his opening match at the ATP and WTA hardcourt event, advancing to face third-ranked Federer, who underwent knee surgery Feb. 3 and as a seed had a first-round bye.
"I'm going to try to play my best tennis against Roger," Del Potro said. "We're both coming off injuries but I think it will be a really good match."
Del Potro, the former world No. 4, is now ranked 366th as a result of his long injury layoff. He is in only his third tournament since returning from left wrist surgery last June, having reached last month's Delray Beach semifinals and being ousted in the second round at Indian Wells.
Federer, winner of a record 17 Grand Slam singles titles, has a 15-5 career record against Del Potro. But the biggest win in the rivalry went to the South American when he outlasted Federer in the 2009 US Open final 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. Federer had won all six matches against Del Potro before that.
While Federer has won their past two meetings, in a 2013 Paris quarterfinal and a round-robin match at the 2013 ATP World Finals, it has been since the 2012 London Olympics since they met on an outdoor hardcourt surface as they will Friday.
Del Potro rolled through his first set in 29 minutes, Pella having as many unforced errors, 14, as points in the set.
Pella battled back in the second set, saving a set point in the 10th game, but dropped three of the last four points in the tiebreaker, netting a backhand volley with the last to lose after 87 minutes.
"It was a tough moment for me but I got through and that's all that matters," Del Potro said.
Del Potro, 27, is making his eighth Miami appearance, with his best showing a run to the 2009 semi-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Andy Murray of Britain.
Federer, 34, won Miami titles in 2005 and 2006 and this year was a finalist at Brisbane and Australian Open semifinalist before the operation.
"It's great to have Roger back," top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic said. "He is such an important player for our sport with his personality and all he has achieved in his career."
Top-ranked Djokovic hopes to sweep Indian Wells and Miami crowns for the third year in a row and fourth time in six years.
Djokovic will face Britain's Kyle Edmund in the second round Friday after the 21-year-old Englishman dispatched Czech Jiri Vesely 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6).
In other matches, American Taylor Fritz topped Italy's Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-2; Canada's Vasek Popisil defeated Diego Schwartzman of Argentina, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4); Albert Ramos-Vilonas of Spain topped Colombian qualifier Alejandro Gonzales 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (3); and Spain's Fernando Verdasco beat Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 7-6(2), 6-3.
World No. 1 Serena Williams will begin the quest for her fourth consecutive Miami Open crown and the ninth of her career Thursday when she faces fellow American Christina McHale in a second-round match.
McHale outlasted Japan's Misaki Doi 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 over two hours and eight minutes in a first-round match. McHale fired eight aces and dropped only seven points on her first serve in the match.
The Czech Republic's Lucie Hradeka beat slumping Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 and CoCo Van DeWeghe beat Samantha Crawford 6-4, 7-5 in an all-American match.
In other first-round action, Frenchwoman Alize Cornet beat Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan to set up a match with third-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska, while Germany's Julia Goerges beat Japan's Nao Hibino and will next play Australian Samantha Stosur. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.