Juan Martin del Potro has a chance of beating Rafael Nadal, Mark Petchey told Wimbledon Report.
Del Potro has the game to upset world No 1, says Petchey
Mark Petchey says Juan Martin del Potro should not be underestimated when he takes on Rafael Nadal on Centre Court.
The Argentine beat Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final to claim his first Grand Slam, but has been blighted by injuries ever since.
A wrist problem and a torn rectus muscle has seen the former world No 4 drop outside the top 20, but Petchey believes the 22-year-old has an excellent chance of beating Nadal.
"We haven't really spoken about Del Potro because of his lack of grass court pedigree, but I think he has the mentality (to win)," he told
Wimbledon Report.
"We saw that at the US Open when he beat Federer in the final to win his first Grand Slam. Now that's huge - you can't buy that.
"And from that perspective he goes into this match clearly with a chance. You can't underestimate him.
"He has a massive serve, he's beaten Rafa before and of course the courts in the second week will suit Del Potro more.
"They get a little firmer and the balls come up a little higher - he's a tall man the Argentinean and through to the second week here, he could be more of a force than some people give him credit for."
Talent
Del Potro crashed out in the second round at the French Open on his Grand Slam return last month, but has fared considerably better at SW19 - dropping only one set on his way into the fourth round.
And Petchey believes he has the talent to upset any of the top four seeds when he is at his best.
"He's an amazing tennis player and he's also got a way of beating all those guys at the top and that's what you want," he said. "Somebody to get into the mix, who has variety and can play on all surfaces.
"And that's what, perhaps until now, he probably lacked - an ability to play on this surface. If you can't play on hard, grass, indoor and everything these days, you're not going to be in the top five.
"But he's fit, he's healthy and I think he's going to relish the chance."
