Del Potro & Cilic Overcome Stiff Challenges

Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic triumphed in their second-round matches last night. The previous night, 20-seed Mikhail Youzhny staved off Richard Gasquet in an almost five-hour battle. On Wednesday, del Potro and Cilic found themselves in a similar situation.

Del Potro had the unfortunate task of drawing James Blake. The Argentine is currently battling a wrist injury that has made his playing status questionable leading up to the tournament. Blake, who is the current world no. 45, has battled injuries last year and returned to the tour more fit this year. Blake’s ranking is a misnomer. Plus, the hardcourts are his favorite surface.

Despite these obstacles, the Argentine was able to withstand 81 winners from Blake to beat the American 6-4 6-7(3) 5-7 6-3 10-8 after 4 hours and 17 minutes of play. The fourth-seed will now play German Florian Mayer in the third round. Their head-to-head is one match apiece, with del Potro winning in their last meeting in last year’s Aussie Open.

Meanwhile on center court, fourteenth-seed Marin Cilic received a serious challenge from Aussie up-and-comer Bernard Tomic in their second-round night match. After trading sets, the 21-year-old Croat pulled it out in the final set. He surpassed the 17-year-old Aussie 6-7(6) 6-3 4-6 6-2 6-4 after 3 hours 48 minutes of play.

Cilic did not get off of the court until the early morning. He now gets treat of having to turn around and play nineteenth-seed Stanislas Wawrinka, who played earlier and two hours less than Cilic. Wawrinka leads their matchup 4-1. The Croat did win their last meeting a couple weeks ago on the hardcourts of Chennai.

Wednesday’s Results

Thursday’s Order of Play

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(Images: AFP, Getty Images)