• ATP Tour

Federer predicts Del Potro will follow in his footsteps

ESPN staff
December 13, 2012
Roger Federer was beaten in three sets by Juan Martin Del Potro © Getty Images
Enlarge

Roger Federer believes former Juan Martin Del Potro has the potential to become world No. 1.

Federer was beaten 3-6 6-3 6-4 by Del Potro in the first of two exhibition matches during his tour of South America.

The world No. 2, who is visiting Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, boasts a 13-4 record against Del Potro, but the Argentine has won their last two, (not counting Wednesday's exhibition match) - beating Federer in the Basel final before a victory at the ATP World Tour Finals.

His first win against Federer came in the 2009 US Open final, where he stunned the world No. 1 3-6 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(4), 6-2 to win his first, and to date only, grand slam title.

But having only recently returned to his best after a nasty wrist injury that saw him miss most of the 2010 season, Del Potro is back in the world's top ten, and Federer believes the 24-year-old is on an upward curve.

"He is already among the best, now he just has to train hard and stay on the same path," Federer said. "He was No. 4, he's now 7, but he could be No. 1. Sometimes the difference is in the small details."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices