Del Potro Moves Closer To Soderling

© Getty ImagesJuan Martin del Potro was broken at 5-2 in the second set but closed out the match at his second attempt.

Juan Martin Del Potro received a warm reception in his first match in Miami since the semi-finals of the 2009 Sony Ericsson Open. The former US Open champion didn’t leave fans disappointed, dispatching Brazilian Ricardo Mello 6-4, 6-4. He did particularly well in his service games, making 70 percent of first serves.

“I served really well today, especially in the important moments,” claimed del Potro. “At 5-4 in the second set, I closed the match with my serve. I [hit] great serves and I’m still working on that.”

His second round opponent is No. 28 seed Philip Kohlschreiber. The two are in Robin Soderling’s section and the winner would likely face the World No. 4 the third round. He expressed that his match will against Kohlschreiber will be tough but the support he is greeted with at this tournament pushes him to do his best.

“I really like playing here in Miami. Many South American people come to see the tournament, so we feel really well, and hopefully [I’ll] be better in the next match.”

Dennis Istomin ended Donald Young’s hopes of having another strong result at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event, knocking the American out 6-4, 6-3. Istomin will attempt to become the first player to defeat No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic this season in second-round action later this week.

Alex Bogomolov Jr., who came through qualifying, overcame a late third set deficit to beat Victor Hanescu 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.  The win pits the American against fifth-seeded Andy Murray, the 2009 champion.

India’s best hope, Somdev Devvarman, defeated Potito Starace of Italy with relative ease, clinching a 6-2, 6-4 victory. His win sets up a much-anticipated duel with Canadian Milos Raonic in a battle of future ATP World Tour headliners.

In the feature night match, James Blake saved a match point in the second-set tie-break during a torrid battle with fellow American Mike Russell, eventually winning 3-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(3).