Juan Martin del Potro is fighting to be fit for the visit of Czech Republic this weekend as Argentina bid to reach the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final for the second straight year.
Following his run to the US Open quarterfinals, del Potro is struggling with a wrist injury and has been told that rest is the key to recovery, but he’s still desperate to play a part in Argentina’s bid.
“The doctor has recommended me to rest for 15 days, but I’ll do the impossible to play against Czech Republic,” del Potro tweeted.
The world No. 8 was ruled out for the majority of 2010 with a wrist problem, missing the entire Davis Cup season, and made his comeback for Argentina in last year’s World Group quarterfinals.
He played a key role in getting his country through to the Final in Seville, where Spain ultimately prevailed after del Potro lost to David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal in titanic clay court battles.
“Del Potro told me that the doctor Berger (a wrist specialist) told him to rest 15 days, but Juan Martin wants to be there,” said Martin Jaite, Argentina’s captain.
“He will train the following two days and will decide what to do. Leonardo Mayer is also training with us in case del Potro cannot play.”
Jaite is already without the services of Davis Cup stalwart David Nalbandian, who misses out with a strained chest muscle that also forced him to withdraw from the US Open.
If del Potro doesn’t win his race to be fit, the responsibility of leading the team will fall on world No. 11 Juan Monaco, who has often played second fiddle in the Argentine ranks to the likes of del Potro and Nalbandian.
Carlos Berlocq, ranked No. 45, is next in line for a singles call up, while Leonardo Mayer, ranked No. 62, looks likely to step in and provide cover. The team’s doubles specialist is Eduardo Schwank.
With Nalbandian absent and del Potro struggling for fitness, Czech Republic will fancy their chances of causing an upset and reaching their first Final since 2009.
As always, the visitors will rely on the experienced duo of Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek to get the job done. The Czech pair are expected to play both singles and doubles.
The action gets under way at Parque Roca in Buenos Aires on Friday. You can follow the tie with live scores right here on DavisCup.com or watch live on DavisCup.tv.