Argentina’s Davis Cup Hopes All On Juan Martin Del Potro Whether He Plays or Not

The Tower of Tandil, Juan Martin Del Potro, will cast a long shadow over Argentina’s hopes against Croatia in the Davis Cup final in November. 

Argentina has never won a Davis Cup championship and whether it does depends largely on Del Potro, the country’s best and most-feared player.

Last Saturday, Del Potro defeated Andy Murray in a five-set classic to help lead Argentina to a 3-2 win over Great Britain in the semifinals of the 2016 Davis Cup. The win puts Argentina in the finals for the first time since 2011.

Although Del Potro won just one rubber and did not play in the decisive fifth match, his presence kept the British guessing and impacted the outcome of the tie.

Sure, teammates Guido Pella and Leonardo Mayer may have been able to pull off the win without Del Potro. Perhaps they could even get by the likes of Croatia’s Marin Cilic and Borna Coric. However, Del Potro in the lineup multiplies their chances. 

Del Potro’s win over Murray immediately changed the dynamic of that tie against the British. By beating Murray, Del Potro took pressure off Pella, who defeated Kyle Edmund to give Argentina a 2-0 lead.

The British evened the tie after Murray and his older brother Jamie, defeated Del Potro and Mayer in doubles. Then Murray beat Pella 6-3 6-2 6-3 in singles.

Going into the third day, the British assumed Del Potro would play singles. Meanwhile, Del Potro had already alerted the press that he was questionable at best. Dan Quarrell of EuroSport, quoted Del Potro as saying, “I want to play for many years, not one more match. I did not expect to play eight hours over two days—it’s a lot for me right now, I’m trying to get back slowly.”

Still, reporters wondered if this was a mere bluff. 

I don’t think this is an elaborate Delpovian bluff.Late change of heart always possible, but it looks …

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