Juan Martin del Potro, 29, seems to have regained his lost luster, at least partially. His journey throughout the season of 2017 has been an interesting one. Despite having a late start of the season (Delray Beach Open in late February was his first event of the year), the former world No. 4 and 2009 US Open titlist has put together some solid Tennis starting with the 2017 US Open. Reaching the semis at the last Grand Slam of the year and the one he holds dearly in his heart, del Potro kept his momentum reaching another semifinal in Shanghai. He capped all those great results with another title in Stockholm.
He is now ranked 14th in Race to London and is set to start his campaign at Swiss Indoors in Basel, an ATP 500 event.
Del Potro among the top seeds in Basel
Currently ranked 19th in the world, the Argentine tennis star was seeded fourth in the men's singles draw. He will kick off his campaign by confronting Joao Sousa in the round of 32. If he gets past the Portuguese, del Potro will face either Donald Young or Julien Benneteau next. For the quarterfinals stages, Roberto Bautista Agut looms as the Spaniard has already booked himself a spot there.
Del Potro shares the bottom half of the draw with the defending champion Marin Cilic. They would make an interesting matchup for the semis.
Del Potro is a two-time former champion in Basel (2012 and 2013).
He won those editions by defeating Roger Federer in the final. This year, the final is also the only place where they can cross their swords.
Del Potro pushes for a place at the O2 Arena in London
The Nitto ATP Finals are several weeks ahead and the board has not been completed yet. Marin Cilic and Grigor Dimitrov are the latest to secure a slot but there are two more to be filled up.
David Goffin is likely to clinch the seventh spot while the last available place will be decided by the end of next week. Juan Martin del Potro, Pablo Carreno Busta and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are in this race for the moment. Del Potro would cement his seat inside the top 20 with a good perspective for attaching the top 10 in January 2018.
Kevin Anderson, John Isner and Sam Querrey they all had another unexpected early-exit this week from Basel and Vienna which allows del Potro and Tsonga to step in for a last-minute bid.
An interesting picture is taking shape now with Djokovic, Murray and Wawrinka or Raonic out of the tennis court. Ultimately, it's a unique chance for players like Cilic, Zverev, Dimitrov and Thiem to make a statement if Federer or Nadal will allow it.