MELBOURNE, Australia(AP) Four months after his first Grand Slam singles title, U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro says he's ready to claim his second.
Del Potro, who defeated Roger Federer in New York last September, beat Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 6-3 at the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament on Wednesday.
I feel good with my tennis, I feel confident,'' Del Potro said.Of course to beat Roger in the final gave me a lot of motivation and confidence to keep trying, keep working and when I go to the court with Roger or Rafa (Nadal), I don't feel too much different (to them).
``That's important for my career, for the future and of course if I want to fight for the No. 1.''
Novak Djokovic, the 2008 Australian Open champion, also opened with a win at Kooyong on Wednesday, beating Tommy Haas 6-2, 6-3.
In Wednesday's other matches, Fernando Verdasco beat Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 6-1 and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga beat defeated Robin Soderling 7-6 (0), 6-1.