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Juan Martin Del Potro -
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A lot was said and written about Juan Martin Del Potro in the lead up to 2009 Heineken Open
"The most promising player on the ATP tour", "23-match winning streak in 2008" "One of the biggest movers on the tour", "One of the best players to come to New Zealand".
And you would have to say that the 20-year-old Argentinean has delivered in every way, on and off the court.
He was absolutely ruthless in demolishing third seed Robin Soderling in their semi final on Friday, making the world number 17 look like a journeyman.
Del Potro only dropped nine points on his serve in the entire 76 minute match, looking very comfortable every time he stepped up to the service line.
The 1.91m Swede is known for having a powerful serve, but the world number nine consistently had trouble holding and was broken on three different occasions.
Del Potro has improved with every match at the 2009 Heineken Open and has a true all court game.
His long term ambition is to win a Grand Slam, and feels his best opportunity is at the US Open.
He seems genuinely touched by the presence of so many Argentinean supporters at the ASB tennis centre on Thursday, and was happy to hang around until every one of his excited countrymen had a photo or an autograph.
In 2008 Del Potro won 46 matches, four ATP finals and banked US$1.3 million in soaring from world number 44 into the top ten.
It is reasonable to expect a lot more of the Argentinean in 2009, and his rivals will not be looking forward to seeing the lanky South American on the other side of the net.
