INDIAN WELLS, California – Juan Martin del Potro keeps surprising himself.
Close to quitting tennis after four wrist surgeries in recent years, the Argentine fought to get back to the ATP Tour even as he was reduced to hitting his backhand with one hand instead of his usual two.
The struggle paid off Sunday, when Del Potro staved off three match points in the third set to beat top-ranked Roger Federer 6-4,7-6 (8), 7-6 (2) for the BNP Paribas Open title.
The win ranks up there with Del Potro’s 2009 US Open title, in which he beat Federer, and helping Argentina win the Davis Cup in 2016.
“I cannot believe I won this tournament, beating Roger in a great final and level of tennis,” Del Potro said.