(Tennis news) Juan Martin Del Potro made a spirited return on tour after a 3 year absence, the crowd support did make the home favorite a bit emotional at the Argentina Open. The 33 year old last played in June 2019 at Queens and had announced about the comeback a few months ago. Del Potro was up against fellow country mate Federico Delbonis, he broke Federico’s serve in the opening game which invited loud cheers and claps from the crowd. Federico did get a slight taste of the forehands but it did fade away as the match went on, a crucial break in the 7th game put an end of a 4 match losing streak for the left hander. Federico defeated Del Potro 6-1, 6-3.

"It's difficult to explain how I felt on the court. So many emotions," del Potro said post-match. "The atmosphere was crazy, the people were crazy, and I had one of my best ever matches in my career with the crowd."

Albert Ramos-Vinolas might be the most successful at the Cordoba Open but at the Argentina Open things are different. Albert has been playing at the event since 2011, last year he reached the semifinal for the first time and so far has 16 victories in 12 appearances. The Spaniard was up against Thiago Monteiro who was the first to break serve and take a 3-1 lead. Thiago had 3 set points at 5-3 but lost three consecutive points as the 34 year old got a crucial chance to break but failed to convert and lost the set. In the second set after an exchange of breaks in the 4th and 5th game it was the world no 104 who broke serve for the 4th time to win the match. Thiago defeated Albert 6-3, 6-3.

Wildcard Sebastian Baez was playing in the main draw for the first time at the event after losing in the qualifiers last year. He was up against another wildcard, a familiar foe Holger Rune as they had played twice last year which included a challengers event in Chile. Rune had won their ATP tour meeting but Baez made a few changes from last time. The 18 year old won the opening three games of the match as the Argentine won the next three and there were no service breaks which called for a tie breaker. After an hour and two minutes, the 21 year old pocketed the first set. In the second set, the world number 74 took the chances early and took a 4-2 lead which was enough to close out the match for his 5th victory of the season. Baez defeated Rune 7-6(7-4), 6-3.

Pablo Andujar first played at Buenos Aires in 2007 at the qualifiers, he got into the main draw for the first time in 2009. The Spaniard is into the round of 16 for the 3rd time, he went after Juan Ignacio Londero’s second serve and only lost 7 of the 22 serves. It was a match of baseliners as both players finished most of the points without the assistance of the net. Pablo defeated Juan 6-2, 6-4.

Also read: Verdasco gets first tour victory in 9 months at Argentina Open