Day Two of The Boodles 2017
Del Potro wins first grass court match at The Boodles 2017
Grand Slam champion Juan Martin Del Potro headlined the winners on an exciting second day of tennis at Stoke Park, which saw former top ten players and rising stars in action.
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) d. Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-3 3-6 10-5
Returning to The Boodles for the second straight year, Del Potro – to be seeded 30th at Wimbledon – appeared to have shaken off the groin injury that saw him pull out of Queen's Club action last week. He and opponent Gilles Simon entertained a packed crowd on Wednesday afternoon with some thrilling rallies and big serves.
Del Potro said:
"I feel fantastic," the Argentine enthused after the match. "We were enjoying the match a lot, the atmosphere was really really nice. Everybody was waiting to see our match, and I think we did great."
Even in the relaxed setting of Stoke Park, the 2013 Wimbledon semi-finalist feels that The Boodles provides the opportunity for serious match play prior to Wimbledon.
"I think it's good preparation to see how the body feels and how the game is," Del Potro reflected. "And I think when you play seriously you can improve a little bit, and that's why I decided to play this event."
Looking ahead to Wimbledon, the Argentine – who returned from multiple years of injury and repeated wrist surgeries last season – is keeping things in perspective.
"Always Wimbledon is a big challenge for me," he said. "But I think I'm doing well this season. I could be better, but I had a tough draw in the last tournaments. I've been playing Federer, Djokovic, Murray and these guys in the first rounds.
"But I'm looking forward to playing my best tennis on grass because I like to play on this surface. And then if I'm okay and I feel strong enough, I can do a good tournament."
Simon was playing his second match at Stoke Park this season.
"I am enjoying the grass-courts here," the Frenchman said. "It's really important to prepare for Wimbledon, and I think against Del Potro, this was the perfect match to prepare for it."
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) d. Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 6-3 3-6 10-4
Philipp Kohlschreiber gave a preview of his form going into Wimbledon during his defeat of Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in his first match of The Boodles this year.
The world no. 57 held six match points over defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray earlier this season, and will be a danger for anyone in the main draw at SW19:
Kohlschreiber said:
"Of course I have some players I don't want to play in the first round, either!" Kohlschreiber said. "But it's a big draw. I've struggled a little bit with my health this year, so it's simple just to have the goal that I stay healthy for Wimbledon, and then I can give it my best shot.
"I know I can play very ugly on grass, even if I'm not the biggest server. But I move around very well, returning well. I think my variety in my game is my weapon."
The German, a favourite at The Boodles was happy to be back at Stoke Park:
"It's a great event, not even just as a build-up for Wimbledon," he enthused. They do a fantastic job, they involve the audience, they have a really good time. You can serve food or drinks on the court, and the atmosphere is just unique.
"Also for me as a player I feel that it's really welcoming, that we come here and makes it a lot of fun to play tennis."
Ramos-Vinolas came close to victory and his happy with his preparations for Wimbledon:
"I lost, but I think it was a good match," the world no. 22 assessed. "Good way to prepare for Wimbledon, we did good points. I will try to play tomorrow again here, and I will try to keep more confidence on the court."The Boodles is a good place to be. Very quiet. We can practice, we can play some matches which is not at an ATP tournament but it's quite similar. So it's good practice and it's close to Wimbledon, so it's perfect."
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) d. Benoit Paire (FRA) 7-6 6-2
The final match of the day saw success for another German, Jan-Lennard Struff who defeated Benoit Paire in a fun filled match.
Results - Wednesday 28th June 2017
Denis Shapovalov (CAN) v Ricardas Berankis (LTU) - cancelled due to rain.
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) d. Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-3 3-6 10-5
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) d. Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) 6-3 3-6 10-4
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) d. Benoit Paire (FRA) 7-6 6-2
Order of Play Day 3 - Thursday 29th June 2017 - 12.30pm Start
12:30
Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) v James Ward (GBR)
14:30
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER)
Followed by
Alexander Zverev (GER) v Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
Followed by (not before 17:00)
Roberto Baustista Agut (ESP) v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)