Tennis: Del Potro Looks to End Djokovic’s Winning Streak

With two titles to his name in 2011, Juan Martin Del Potro is the sexy pick to end Novak Djokovic’s winning streak later today. Al Dannity has one simple message for anyone thinking of backing the Argentinian: It’s not going to happen.

The stumbling comeback
After hitting the high of defeating Roger Federer in the 2009 U.S. Open Final, Juan Martin Del Potro’s career has stuttered due in large part to injury. The #25 seed Argentinian missed most of the 2010 season and made an early exit at the Australian Open earlier this year. Things started to turn around for Del Potro in February. Back to back semi final appearances in Memphis and San Jose were followed up by a victory at Delray Beach. A second title of the season followed at Estoril in April but injury concerns came back to haunt Del Potro as he was forced to pull out of his last 16 match with Rafael Nadal in Madrid. He subsequently missed Rome, to further fuel concerns over his health.

Pressure, what pressure?
For those of you keeping count, Novak Djokovic has now won 41 matches in a row and is 39-0 in 2011. We’ve told you about the tournament wins, we’ve told you how he has owned Rafael Nadal in 2011, and we’ve told you how he is fitter than he has ever been. Quite simply, Novak Djokovic is the greatest Tennis player in the world right now. It will take a super-human effort to beat him. Del Potro has been promoted as the man to end the streak because it seems impossible to Tennis betting fans that Djokovic can be this good for so long without slipping. Surely a dark horse like the Argentinian can catch him off guard? Victor Hanescu would laugh at such an assumption. Hanescu was on the receiving end of a clinical display from Djokovic in the last round. The #2 seed isn’t taking anyone for granted and won’t be caught cold today.

The verdict
In the career head to head, Djokovic leads Del Potro 3-0. All of those meetings were before the recent surge in the Serbian’s games. If an injury-prone Djokovic could beat Del Potro when the Argentinian when he was at his best, what hope has a battered Del Potro against Djokovic in perfect health? Oh how I love rhetorical question. This may be the match of the day but I expect nothing short of a rout. Del Potro is no Gerry Cooney, he’s got game, but he’s not the player that won the U.S. Open in 2009. Look for the streak to continue. Bet on Novak Djokovic to win as -833 favorite with Sports Interaction.