Del Potro, who played his first professional tennis match in 2005, then scored his second ATP Tour singles title of 2009 in August by topping the Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick of the USA 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(8-6).

Then in September, del Potro did the unthinkable in the US Open final by staging a remarkable comeback from two sets down against the five time defending champion and world number one Roger Federer of Switzerland. Federer had won 41 singles matches in a row in New York, but before falling 3-6, 7-6(7-5), 4-6, 7-6(7-4), 6-2.

The upset also marked the first time Federer had lost in a grand slam final to an opponent other than the former world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain.

Del Potro would himself finish as finalist last year at Montreal as well as the ATP Tour season ending championships at London.

Two years ago in 2008, del Potro became the first player in ATP Tour history to win his first four career titles in as many tournaments. He also completed the second longest winning streak of that year, and the second longest streak by a teenager in the open era, behind Nadal; with winning streak at 23 matches over five tournaments.

The big hitting Argentine del Potro this year will look to improve upon his last year's disappointing Australian Open result which saw him lose to Federer in the quarterfinals 6-3, 6-0, 6-0.

The Australian Open, tennis' first of four grand slams or most important tournaments, is to be played in Melbourne, Australia January 18th-31st.

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