Juan Martin del Potro survives three-hour battle at French Open

Shahida Jacobs 30 May 2019 8:29 PM

It was another hard slog for Juan Martin del Potro at the French Open on Thursday as he battled pain and a brilliant opponent in Yoshihito Nishioka.

The eighth seed needed four sets to win his opening match at Roland Garros and his second-round clash went the distance as he beat Nishioka 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 in three hours and 46 minutes.

His heart is as big as his forehand 🇦🇷🥰@delpotrojuan empties the tank, defeats Nishioka 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-2. #RG19 pic.twitter.com/bs5ojNnsel

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 30, 2019

Del Potro was broken three times in the first set as the Japanese player took early control.

And he then had his right knee taped, which will be a concern as he has just returned from a long-term injury, but guts it out to win the next two sets.

However, Nishioka forced a decider as he took the tie-breaker in the fourth, but Del Potro wasn’t to be denied as he broke twice in the fifth set.

He will face Australian Jordan Thompson for a place in the fourth round.

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