Juan Martin del Potro pulled off one of tennis’ most memorabke comebacks to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday.
The champion from 2009 had been struggling with illness, and looked set to crash out without a fight after winning only three games in the opening two sets against Dominic Thiem.
There were doubts as to whether Del Potro would be fit enough to complete the match, but he remarkably did more than just finish what he started.
The Argentinian secured the third set with ease, and then saved two match points with aces in the foruth, before clinching the win in the fifth to leave the score at 1-6 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4.
Speaking after the win, Del Potro said: “Oh my God. I don’t know what can I say after this big battle. I was sick the last two days. I came here trying to play as well as I can.
“When I saw all of this crowd cheering for me, my illness cleared up. I was trying to feel better every game. I fight like this because of you guys.”
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