In 2009, Juan Martin Del Potro proved quite a revelation on the ATP World Tour. After impressing in small battles on tour, this lanky Argentine made his presence felt in a big way by winning the US Open title that year. But above all, Del Potro did something incredible at Flushing Meadows as he outlasted five-time defending champion Roger Federer in five sets and became the second Argentine and the fifth-youngest man to win the US Open title in the Open Era. Besides that he also became the first man to beat Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both in the same Grand Slam tournament.

Let’s fast forward to present. After that defeat Roger Federer took this lanky Argentine very seriously. Unfortunately, Del Potro’s surge was badly hit by ill-timed injuries. The Argentine beat Federer again in the 2009 ATP World Tour finals, but after that he lost five battles against him. Interestingly, Federer beat the Argentine four times this season. Last time they met in Indian Wells Masters, where Federer topped Del Potro in straight sets. It seems that Federer has done a great home-work on Del Potro’s game and every time they play against each other, Federer makes quick in-roads into the match and does not allow the lanky Argentine to settle down.

Chasing his second Grand Slam title on clay, World No. 3 Roger Federer managed to complete his “Career-Slam” in 2009, when he triumphed at Roland Garros. Interestingly, he did not have to face Rafael Nadal in the final then. Certainly, passed his prime, Roger Federer is still a defiant contender to beat on tour and he has proved over a period of time that he is still better than all the players in Top 10 – except Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Well, the Swiss will take on Belgian qualifier David Goffin in his fourth-round encounter to secure his berth in the quarterfinal of the 2012 French Open.

Undoubtedly, Federer takes one step at a time and religiously follow his daily routine, which allows him to adapt to the different surfaces – with the utmost ease. Federer has a stellar 34-4 win-loss record this season and has won four titles so far in 2011 including ATP Masters title in Madrid on blue clay.

Currently ranked as World No. 9 in the ATP Rankings, the lanky Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro has made a terrific comeback on tour after battling with a few career-threatening injuries. Del Potro has a good 40-8 win-loss record this season and once again he is looking firm among the Top 10 contenders in the ATP Rankings. In fact, he has also won two titles this season including one on clay in Estoril.

Considering their present form and past records, it would be pretty apt to say that Federer is favourite in this contest. Del Potro can create an upset only if he fare well against the mighty Swiss in long rallies and tackle those angles well. Overall, we have a fascinating contest in our hands.