Del Potro wins first ATP title in three years

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

AFP: Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro clinched his first ATP title in almost three years with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over American Jack Sock in Sunday’s final in Stockholm.

The Argentine, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2009 before suffering a series of wrist injuries that pushed him to the brink of retirement, needed just over an hour and a quarter to beat sixth-seeded Sock.

“I’ve been trying to fix my problems for the past two years and I didn’t expect to win a title at this moment in my career. I am so happy to get the trophy here. It’s motivation for looking forward to the future,” said Del Potro.

The 28-year-old, runner-up to Andy Murray in the Olympic final in Rio in August, last played a tour final in Sydney in January 2014, when he beat home favourite Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-1.

The world number 63 played just six tournaments across 2014 and 2015 but has gradually rediscovered the form that once enabled him to reach fourth in the world.

Del Potro helped his country defeat Murray’s Great Britain in this year’s Davis Cup semi-finals and will seek to lead Argentina to their first title against Croatia next month.