Wimbledon 2013: Del Potro shruggs off Canadian opponent, through to third round

Argentine 8th-seed Juan Martin Del Potro has reached the Wimbledon Championships third round for the third straight year on Thursday after eliminating Jesse Levine of Canada 6-2, 7-6, 6-3.

Del Potro is aiming to advance to the quarterfinals or better for the first time at the All England Club. The 2009 US Open champion has reached the fourth round in the past. He’s had good results on grasscourt events in the past few years, even winning the bronze medal at last year’s London Olympics which was held at the same location.

“Jesse is a good fighter, a lefty. On grass he can play with a different effect,” said del Potro. “In the second set I was lucky to survive and go through. At the end of the match I was confident on my forehand, I served really well and played, in the end, really good.

“I’m trying to go far, but all the matches are difficult. You can see all players can beat the top guys. Tennis is in a very high level at the moment. I’m going match by match and just focusing on my next round. It’s a big tournament, I like to play here. I have good memories from this tournament and the Olympics. I like to play on grass and I would like to stay alive a few more days.”

The 24-year old will next face either Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov or Grega Zemlja. The two are currently in a close battle but the match had to be postponed due to rain with Zemlja leading in the fifth set.