2007 was the year of Djokovic. As the epic battle of Federer vs Nadal raged on at the French and at Wimbledon, few noticed that a Serb, one Novak Djokovic, had made the semifinals of both events. He made a breakthrough of sorts by making the finals of the US Open, then winning the Australian Open in 2008.

2008 did not have one particular standout player. You could say it was the year of Murray, or the year of Tsonga, or the year of Simon, but as time passes, it may be the year of del Potro. del Potro came into the US Open in 2008 having won four titles in row, albeit nothing major.

Since then, he has continued to improve. Despite a weak start to his clay court season, he powered his way to the semifinals against Roger Federer, and despite never having taken a set of Federer, proceeded to push Federer to five sets, one of several matches that Federer felt was like a finals.

There were doubts whether the tall Argentine could play well on grass. The low bounce might not suit the lanky player from Tandil. However, he has two requisite weapons that every top male pro seems to have: a big serve and a big forehand.

del Potro inherited Nadal’s position in the draw when Nadal (who del Potro beat for the first time earlier in the year) withdrew. Nadal’s draw was expected to be tough. He would meet veteran player and last year’s quarterfinalist, Arnaud Clement. In the second round, Nadal would have faced the man who beat him in an exhibition only a few days earlier, former world number 1, Lleyton Hewitt. But Nadal’s problems have become del Potro’s problems.

del Potro continued at Wimbledon where he left off at Paris: pummeling early round opponents. del Potro won 6-3, 6-1, 6-2. Up next is Hewitt, who is always a tough competitor, and will be a better measure of where del Potro’s game is on grass.

If you look at who del Potro has lost to this year: Federer, Djokovic, Ljubicic, Murray, Nadal, Stepanek, and Fish, you see that, for the most part, del Potro loses only to better players. He’s made a breakthrough of sorts, beating Andy Murray in Madrid and beating Nadal in Miami. He’s yet to beat Roger Federer, however.

Other winners today. Roddick in 4 sets over Chardy. Probably means his ankle his fine. Ferrero in straight sets over Youzhny, which is normally a tough first round. Ferrero has been playing better as of late. Hewitt with a crushing win over Ginepri. Hewitt is up for del Potro next.

Santoro beat Kiefer the 33rd seed (added when Nadal withdrew) easily in straight sets. The magician still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Haas, the number 24 seed (also courtesy of Nadal’s withdrawal), won in four sets. Stepanek, a player whose flatter style is better suited to the grass, won in straight sets. The new talent, Grigor Dmitrov, however retired to Russian, Kunitsyn.

Benjamin Becker, who won a grass event just before Wimbledon (and last guy to beat Agassi before he retired, won in straight sets. Alves, the lucky loser, who benefitted from the Nadal withdrawal, beat Andrei Pavel in straight sets. The other surprising Argentine, Leonardo Mayer, had an easy 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 win over Oscar Hernandez. Mayer may be one to look out for.

Wawrinka had a straight set win over Schwank. Mathieu needed four sets to beat Gil. Tursunov, who won a grass event last week but like Roddick, a victim of twisted ankles, had to retire against Zverev.

Late results: Simon in straight sets over American Bobby Reynolds. Safin looks like he may bow out in the first round against American Jesse Levine. Finally, Britain’s hope, Andy Murray, needed four sets to beat big-serving American Robert Kendrick.

Djokovic and Federer are the top players playing tomorrow.