Juan Martin Del Potro begins his 2012 season against Poland's Lukasz Kubot in Sydney on Wednesday.
Two years ago Del Potro suffered a wrist injury and in the resulting year spent out of the game, he plunged to 485 in the world. It was a dark time for the Argentine but he's returned with a vengeance and is targeting a place in the world's top five this year.
He opens here in Sydney against the experienced Pole Kubot who saw off the serving might of Ivan Dodig 7-6(4), 7-5 in round one.
'I feel better this year … always the first tournament and second tournaments are difficult … but I am very glad to play here once again,'' Del Potro said ahead of the match. ''I think I'm playing better and in good shape [physically], so if I'm OK and I feel confident I will have a little chance to win matches.''
Kubot is ranked 58 in the world with a career high of 41. He didn't have the best start to 2012, losing 6-2, 6-3 to Andreas Seppi in windy conditions in Doha last week/
Expect Del Potro to progress in straight sets to a likely quarter-final with Marcos Baghdatis.
