Juan Martin del Potro
Fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro
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Thursday, 18, Jun 2009 12:06
Date of birth: 23/09/1988 (Age: 20).
Nationality: Argentinean
Height: 6ft 6in
Weight: 182lbs
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned professional: 2005
Current ATP singles ranking: 5
Best Wimbledon performance: Second round - 2007, 2008
Grass court pedigree
As a gangly teenager, Del Potro has never got beyond the second round at SW19, losing to eventual champion Roger Federer on his 2007 debut and 13th seed Stanislas Wawrinka the following year.
That Federer defeat came weeks after he reached the quarters at Queen's, where his progress was checked by Rafael Nadal.
Wimbledon seeding: 5th
Chances of SW19 success?
Del Potro's grass-court pedigree might not bear up well under scrutiny, but his record-breaking, glory-soaked winning streak that saw him pick up four ATP titles after that Wawrinka loss means he cannot be ignored.
After losing at Wimbledon in 2008 the Argentinean went on to win his next 23 matches, the amazing charge being ended by eventual finalist Andy Murray at Flushing Meadows later that year.
Accomplished while still just 19, the streak was the second best by a teenager (only Nadal has done better), the second best in 2008 and the third best all-time by an Argentinean.
This year Del Potro had picked up his fifth ATP title (Auckland's Heineken Open) and lost in the Australian Open quarter-finals to Federer.
That man Federer also accounted for Del Potro in the last four of the French Open, although the 3-6 7-6 2-6 6-1 6-4 loss marked the first time had had taken a set off the Swiss - let alone pushed him all the way.
Prediction: Quarter-finalist
Last summer's amazing run and last month's close defeat to Federer - who stands on the brink of being confirmed as the greatest player of all time - stand Del Potro in good stead at the All England Club.
The top four are destined to challenge for glory at Wimbledon, but the boy from Tandil is as well placed as any in the chasing pack to challenge their dominance.
Matthew Champion