Del Potro Breaks Through in a Masters; Tops Federer at Indian Wells

Dude's be a dangerous draw in any bracket for some time now, and he's finally become the last one standing n a major event.

Juan Martín del Potro has already compiled nearly $1.9million in prize money over the first quarter of 2018 with one event to go, but for now, he'll savor the one he just finished.

Especially because it was at Indian Wells and it was Roger Federer he topped for the Masters title there -- 6-4 6-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-2) -- in a match that was as entertaining as it was dramatic:

 

After winning the US Open championship in 2009, del Potro's future looked to be all roses and unicorns.

Only 20 at the time, dude staged a spectacular charge to that Open final, totally dominating Rafael Nadal in the semis and then disposing of Federer for the hardware.

 

Didn't quite work out that way.

It's not like del Potro was wandering around in the wilderness for the next decade, but dude was just as likely to get ousted by the ATP's No 589 when the rubber met the road as he was to make a legitimate charge to the late stages by besting Federer again.

 

A lingering wrist injury didn't help, but in 2018, del Potro believes he's got his issues sorted.

Undaunted by a mediocre showing in the Australian Open's stifling heat, the Argie's picked up his pace as the year's unfolded.

It probably didn't hurt his confidence, then, when it was Federer opposite the net at Indian Wells. Dude had his day.

 

The trick now is stringing a few of those together.

Kinda like doing unto others as he does unto Federer.