Juan Martin del Potro — playing in his first Grand Slam event since 2014 — made an emotional return Friday to Wimbledon's Centre Court as he sent fourth-seed Stan Wawrinka packing with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 victory.
Del Potro, 27, has been plagued by wrist injuries in recent years, and while the Argentine — who last appeared on Centre Court 1,092 days ago — was far from his previous best, he grew in confidence as the match went on.
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Two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist Wawrinka made a positive start on the famous grass as a break in the fourth game saw him move one set ahead.
However, he was unable to maintain that level as del Potro found his rhythm.
His booming forehand gave Wawrinka little room to maneuver, while his service games offered little for the Swiss to pounce on.
That winning feeling...@delpotrojuan, back on Centre Court and back in the third round #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/6j8hvoV5yC
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2016
Del Potro's crucial break came in the eighth game of the final set as Wawrinka fired one of his normally trustworthy backhands long.
The victory blows open the bottom half of the men's draw and gives del Potro — a semifinalist in his last Wimbledon appearance — a third-round appointment with either Lucas Pouille or Donald Young.
1092 days since he was last on Centre Court, and Del Potro returns with a win.
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2016
No wonder he's smiling... https://t.co/Az44axvoo0
"It's an amazing sensation for me," Wawrinka told BBC Sport immediately after the win. "I beat one of the guys who is playing great tennis this season. I couldn't have expected this victory before today.
"I enjoyed the crowd, they were incredible. I was so happy on court, it doesn't matter the score, but in the end I beat him and now I'm very happy.
"This is like my second or third career [after my injury troubles]. I was really sad at home for the last two or three years.
"It's a great sensation for me because I am playing tennis again. I feel alive."