Del Potro to make Davis Cup return after four years, could meet Djokovic or Murray in semi-finals

Fighting way back up rankings this year after second operation on left wrist, Del Potro was named in Argentina’s team to visit Italy in July 15-17 World Group quarter-final.

Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina is on a comeback trail. Jordan Mansfield / Getty Images

BUENOS AIRES // Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro is returning to Davis Cup action for Argentina after a four-year absence due to wrist injuries and differences with the previous management.

Del Potro, fighting his way back up the rankings this year after a second operation on his left wrist, was named on Friday in Argentina’s team to visit Italy in their July 15-17 World Group quarter-final.

Captain Daniel Orsanic, whose team overcame Poland in the first round, also named Juan Monaco, Federico Delbonis and Guido Pella.

The winners of the Italy-Argentina clash will face a semi-final against Britain, led by world No 2 Andy Murray, or world No 1 Novak Djokovic’s Serbia.

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Del Potro, world No 4 in January 2010 but now ranked 164, last played Davis Cup in the 2012 semi-final against Czech Republic but quit the team over differences with former captain Martin Jaite and leading player David Nalbandian.

The 1.98 metre Argentine had surgery once on his right wrist and twice on the left since 2010. His 2015 season was wrecked by a recurring left wrist injury and he only returned to competition in February at Delray Beach, where he reached the semi-finals.

Del Potro memory refresher

Age 27

Country Argentina

Plays right-handed

Turned pro 2005

Titles 20

Career highlights

– Won 2009 US Open, becoming first player to beat Roger Federer (final) and Rafael Nadal (semi-finals) at a major.

– Won bronze medal in men’s singles at London Olympics in 2012.

– Reached French Open semi-finals in 2009

– Reached career high world No 4 in 2010

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