Juan Martin Del Potro has confirmed his return to the Estadio Nacional this year in a bid to retain his Estoril Open title.

The Argentinean, who will appear for the third time at the ATP World Tour 250 clay-court tournament, had beaten Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 6-2 in the final last year.

Del Potro said, "I'm delighted to have the chance of defending my title at the Estoril Open, a tournament of which I keep found memories, not only for the victory itself, but above all for the fact that it was in Portugal, where I fully recovered my confidence after the wrist injury."

World number ten Del Potro entered the Australian Open quarter-finals only to lose to Roger Federer earlier this month.

When asked about his decision to play at Estoril, Delpotro said, "In 2011, I lost in Paris to Novak Djokovic, at that time producing one of the best seasons ever seen in tennis history. But I believe I can go further this year, and there's no better way to start preparing Roland Garros, that doing it at the Estoril Open. Starting with the magnificent scenario of the Cascais Miragem Hotel, to the lounge services, the food quality and the hospitality of all the tournament staff, everything went just perfect last year. Of course, I couldn't forget the meeting with my fellow countrymen from SL Benfica, and their support at the tennis tournament, which is something that really pleased me."