Del Potro beats Tipsarevic to triumph in Delray Beach

Juan Martin del Potro won his first title since his 2009 US Open triumph on Sunday, beating Janko Tipsarevic in the final of the $442,500 Delray Beach International Championships.

Argentina’s Del Potro defeated the sixth-seeded Serbian 6-4, 6-4 to pass another milestone in his injury comeback.

A former world number four in the men’s tour, Del Potro saw his 2010 campaign derailed by a right wrist injury that required surgery and limited him to just three tournaments.

He needed 1hr 54 min to fashion the victory, and left Tipsarevic still seeking a first career ATP title.

Del Potro had been building towards victory, having reached back-to-back semi-finals in San Jose and Memphis the past two weeks.

The Argentinian, who admitted he was tired after his semi-final victory over second-seeded Mardy Fish, quickly fell behind 1-4 in the first set. He rallied, and saved five break points in the 10th game as he claimed the first frame on his third set-point.

“Janko held control in the first set, but I was focused on my serve because it was only a break,” he said.

“I served very bad at 5-4, he had the opportunity to break my serve, but I improved a little bit my game, my forehand started to work. That helped me to close the set.”

The victory will boost Del Potro back into the top 100 for the first time since November.