Juan Martin Del Potro begins his Los Angeles campaign against James Blake tonight.
It's going to be fascinating to see how Del Potro fares over the next month or so in the lead-up to the US Open. Everyone is desperate for him to get back to where he was two years ago and challenge for the big titles. He's had the match preparation now but he's just been lacking a little mental toughess, something Rafa Nadal exposed during their clash at Wimbledon. That should improve, the more he faces the big guys and he will have plenty of opportunities during the Masters Series events over the next week.
He's equal favourite for this title along with Mardy Fish but this is a tough opener for him against a very resurgent James Blake. Blake dismissed Michael Berrer fairly emphatically on Tuesday night and he will fancy a tilt at the second seed.
The way Blake has been serving recently, it should be close and their only previous match was a five set thriller at last year's Australian Open with Del Potro eventually taking it 10-8 in the decider.
Prediction: Del Potro in three.
