Day One of The Boodles 2016
Del Potro beats Coric on the opening day of The Boodles
Former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro looks to be making a strong return from injury after beating rising star Borna Coric 62 63 on the first day of The Boodles at Stoke Park.
Del Potro said:
"I'm so happy to be playing tennis again, these sorts of events are amazing for the players and I've been here a couple of times before - it's a great chance to prepare for Wimbledon. The crowd here are amazing with the players and they seem to really enjoy all of our matches."
Speaking about his preparations for Wimbledon after recovering from his wrist injury, Del Potro added:
"I think everything is normal, everything has gone how we expected and it will get better in the future. I'm very confident in my rehab and the doctor told me I'll be better for sure. I'll keep working hard to be prepared and be ready and if I finish out this year I will be strong enough for next season."
Newly-married Fabio Fognini took down America's John Isner 06 62 10-5* in a match full of entertainment. Fognini said:
"It's difficult to describe that match! It was very hard to play against John on this surface, I started well in the first game with two break points and then I lost the set really fast. Of course I need more rhythm, I need to do more practice on this surface. I think at the end I played well and I enjoyed it a lot, so I’m for happy to be here again."
Isner added:
"I love it here, it’s really relaxed with people having a good time. On top you don’t have the pressure like you do when playing a tournament. Of course Wimbledon starts next week so I want to be rested up and relax a little bit the week before.
"I actually feel really really good; my body feels great, there’s a few things that pop up here and there but I’m healthy, I’m fit. Of course that doesn’t guarantee anything, you have to go out and you have to execute but I’m happy with where I’m at right now."
concluded Isner.
In the day's opening match Serb Janko Tipsarevic beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro 62 76(6) to kick off the day.
Janko Tipsarevic:
"The Boodles is one of the nicest events we have, the event are doing an unbelievable job at bringing world class tennis players here every single year. For me personally it's a week in between Queen's and Wimbledon, we don't play on grass too often in the year so any matches we can get prior to the Championships are welcomed."
A 75 64 win for Viktor Troicki over Jeremy Chardy concluded the first day of action at The Boodles.
Wednesday sees the arrival of Novak Djokovic who will be making his first and only grasscourt appearance before Wimbledon against David Goffin.
Results - Tuesday 21st June 2016
J. Tipsarevic d. N. Almagro 62 76(6)
J M Del Potro d. B.Coric 62 63
F. Fognini d. J. Isner 06 62 10-5*
V. Troicki d. J. Chardy 75 64
*third set = 10 point tie break
Order of Play Day 2 - Wednesday 22nd June 2016 - 12.30pm Start
12:30
Robin Haase (NED) v Aljaz Bedene (GBR)
14:30
Novak Djokovic (SRB) v David Goffin (BEL)
Followed by
Viktor Troicki (SRB) v Lucas Pouille (FRA)
Not before 17:00
Juan Monaco (ARG) v Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)