DPA/London


Juan Martin del Potro is hoping that knee and ankle injuries suffered during a sliding fall last week on the grass of Wimbledon will continue to heal fast enough for him to make an impression in his quarter-final against Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer.
After winning his lone Grand Slam title at the 2009 US Open and then suffering a right wrist injury which compromised the next season, the South American is understandably concerned with his Wimbledon fitness.
“I think I don’t have luck ... I was winning so easy the third round. Just running a dropshot, I twisted my ankle and hyper extended my knee,” he said.
Eighth-seed Del Potro managed to advance in straight sets over Andreas Seppi in the fourth round while carrying the injuries he suffered in the third.
The prognosis remains mixed for the Argentine: “The ankle is good and the knee is not good. I’m allowed to play, but the knee still bothered me on the left outside. I couldn’t do the scan, that’s what I need for a specific result of the knee.
“The doctor says it’s nothing too dangerous, and that’s positive.”
The player who has reached his first Wimbledon quarter-final said that he had to do so playing through pain.
“I couldn’t extend the knee 100 per cent, I had taping to help me to be careful in some movements. But that was not enough. I’ll have all the treatments to see if I can be better,” Del Potro said.

Haas hopes alive this season
Tommy Haas went down to Novak Djokovic in straight sets in their Wimbledon fourth-round match, but the 35-year-old German was far from discouraged. Haas continues to excel in his “second career” after past years of injuries which have actualy extended his tennis shelf life.
“It’s been great, I’ve been playing some great tennis for over a year,” said the 2009 semi-finalist. “The ranking (13th) shows that.  It’s obviously a great wave that I’m riding right now at this time of my career.”
The LA-based father of one who, won the Munich trophy this spring, said that he has no plans to slowing down as he returns to ATP play during the North American hardcourt swing.
“I’ll try to enjoy it as long as I can. A lot depends obviously physically how you’re doing and mentally how much you’re willing to keep going,” Haas said.
It’s no joke trying to be professional tennis player, or any professional athlete for that matter.  You really have to put in the hard yards. As long as I’m willing to continue to do that, I’d love to continue.”