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Sixth seed Federico Delbonis advanced to the second round of the Argentina Open by defeating compatriot Juan Martin del Potro in what was possibly the last match of the latter's career.
The former US Open champion started well but the 31-year-old Delbonis soon took control of the match and won in straight sets.
It was quite an emotional evening for del Potro as the crowd began chanting his name during what might have been the last service game of his career. The 33-year-old broke down in tears, but was able to regain his composure and complete the game.
Delbonis will face Pablo Andujar for a place in the quarterfinals of the competition. The Spaniard beat Juan Ignacio Londero 6-2, 6-4 in his first-round match.
Juan Martin del Potro vs Federico Delbonis result
Delbonis defeated del Potro 6-1, 6-3.
Juan Martin del Potro vs Federico Delbonis winner
Delbonis beat del Potro in straight sets to advance to the second round of the Argentina Open. He will now take on World No. 73 Pablo Andujar.
Juan Martin del Potro vs Federico Delbonis match recap
Del Potro started the match very well by breaking Delbonis in the very first game. However, the 31-year-old broke back and things just improved for him from there on.
Delbonis began to dominate the match with some splendid winners. There were hardly any aces so both players relied heavily on winners and unforced errors. Delbonis won five games in a row to take the opening set 6-1.
The second set looked to be competitive as both players held their serve in the first few games. With the score at 3-3, Delbonis earned three breakpoints on del Potro's serve. The former US Open champion was able to save all three, but Delbonis eventually converted on his sixth attempt to break for the first time in the second set.
The World No. 42 then held his serve before breaking del Potro again to win the second set 6-3 and clinch the match.
Delbonis next faces Andujar in the second round with a place in the quarterfinals at stake. This will be the tenth meeting between the two players with Andujar leading the head-to-head 7-2.
The Spaniard won their first six meetings but Delbonis has won two out of the last three clashes. The 31-year-old beat Andujar in three sets at the 2020 Forte Village Sardegna Open before winning in five sets when they met in the second round of last year's French Open.
However, Andujar won the most recent encounter between the two in St. Petersburg, picking up a 6-2, 7-6 (1) victory.
