Juan Martin del Potro is the lowest-ranked man to reach the US Open quarterfinals since Jimmy Connors in 1991, and it turns out a 27-year-old Argentine can share much in common with a 39-year-old American. At its root, the story captivating fans at Flushing Meadows is the same: the former champion making an unlikely run to reclaim past glory.
In del Potro's case, his body has betrayed him through injuries, not age — multiple left wrist surgeries that kept him from the majors for 2½ years. The only thing missing from his tale so far at this tournament is a marathon match.
Monday's victory was particularly brief after eighth-seeded Dominic Thiem retired in the second set because of a bum knee. For once, an injury was aiding del Potro, not hindering him. Still tired after the stunning run to an Olympic silver medal that announced him as a contender again, he got a huge break in spending only 72 minutes on court. Del Potro has played just 10-plus sets through four rounds and got in some extra hitting after Monday's match abruptly ended.
Thiem took a medical timeout to have trainers look at his right knee after the second set's fifth game. He returned to the court for one point before deciding he couldn't go on.
Del Potro had won the first set 6-3 and was up a break in the second. He had trainers massage his right shoulder on a few occasions but looked fine after coming back from down an early break.
Del Potro's quarterfinal opponent will be third-seeded Stan Wawrinka.