• BNP Paribas Open

Del Potro starts with a bang

ESPN staff
March 10, 2011
Juan Martin del Potro is on the comeback trail from a serious wrist injury © Getty Images
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BNP Paribas Open seedings

Juan Martin del Potro fired a warning to his rivals as he completed a convincing win over Radek Stepanek at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

The former US Open champion is still on the comeback from a serious wrist injury, and following his victory at Delray Beach last month, the former world No. 4 suggested he was back on track with a 6-4 6-0 victory in just 84 minutes.

Stepanek matched the Argentine in the early stages, but dropped serve in the seventh game, and del Potro won eight of the nine remaining games to seal a convincing victory.

Having begun his climb back up the rankings after playing just three tournaments last year, del Potro was happy with his start in California.

"I broke his serve very soon and took confidence with my serve," Del Potro said. "That helped my whole game, and with my forehand especially. I played a good match."

Meanwhile, Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic cruised to a 6-2 6-0 win over Tobias Kamke, while the in-form Somdev Devvarman booked his place in the second round with a 6-2 6-3 win over France's Adrian Mannarino.

Marcel Granollers slipped up at the hands of local favourite Ryan Sweeting 6-4 6-1, while Victor Hanescu, Michael Berrer and Xavier Malisse also progressed.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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