US Open 2017: Juan Martin Del Potro admits fitness fear ahead of Roger Federer showdown
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO has conceded he is not fully fit ahead of his US Open quarter-final clash with Roger Federer.
Juan Martin Del Potro (right) hopes to be fully fit to face Roger Federer
Del Potro battled from the brink to prevail in a five-set thriller in the fourth round yesterday against Dominic Thiem.
The Argentine will now face Federer in a repeat of the 2009 US Open final.
Del Potro felt ill for two days before the match.
And he is hoping his day off means he will be fully charged to take on the legendary Swiss.
He said: “Hopefully my day off [Tuesday] I can recovery a little bit more.
Then I will see if I'm ready to play in good conditions against Roger
“Then I will see if I'm ready to play in good conditions against Roger."
Del Potro admitted he came close to retiring against Thiem, adding: “I was thinking to retire in the middle of the second set because I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move well.
“Dominic was dominating the match so easy."
Federer meanwhile, is looking forward to a reunion against Del Potro.
He said: “I'm really happy for him. It's a good match to look forward to...I hope we can produce another good one."
Should Federer win, he could face Rafa Nadal in the last four, providing the Spaniard wins his quarter-final tie.