Del Potro can cause Djokovic problems

Sky Sports 3 & BT Sport 1
6pm Tuesday

Juan Martin del Potro bided his time during his 7-6 6-3 victory over fellow Argentina Davis Cup hero Federico Delbonis in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters, and it could pay to place some faith in the Tower of Tandil troubling Novak Djokovic next.

Second seed Djokovic saw off Kyle Edmund 6-4 7-6 in his California opener, but given that the Serb captured both the Indian Wells and Miami titles last year punters should expect a better display from the former world number one against Del Potro.

Delpo defeated Djokovic 7-6 7-6 in the Olympics last summer, then it was Nole’s turn to rule the roost in a 4-6 6-4 6-4 triumph in Acapulco last week. The outsider can be backed to have his day again, but it may be safer to back him to capture at least one set.

Opposing Malek Jaziri with Marcel Granollers failed on Monday, but the Tunisian can again be taken on with Taylor Fritz, whose game has come together nicely in the desert.

Fritz looks a top-ten player in the making and now he’s playing better again he can add to wins over Marin Cilic and Benoit Paire.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s game looked in top order in her 6-3 6-2 victory over Barbora Stry­cova and the Russian could cause problems for Dominika Cibulkova.

That’s a big if, though, and considering the class of Cibulk­ova, who got out of jail in a 2-6 7-6 7-6 defeat of Kristyna Plisk­ova, it may pay to watch this one.

Recommendations
J M del Potro to win at least a set
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3pts 8-13 Betfair, Paddy Power