Juan Del Potro of Argentina stepped onto grass for the first time since 2013 and beat former hot hand Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-2 yesterday to reach the second round of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.
The longtime wrist injury victim whose troubles began in 2010, also warned good friend Rafael Nadal not to rush his own recovery from a left wrist drama after the Spaniard was forced to withdraw during the first week of the French Open.
“My advice is just to take your time,” Del Potro said. “Don’t push yourself and don’t risk. The wrist suffers when you play and train, If you are not feeling at 100 per cent than you need to wait.”
Del Potro called his Spanish rival “a great fighter. I’m sure he will be back on the courts very shortly.”
Speculation indicates that the 30-year-old Nadal could miss Wimbledon in order to ensure fitness for the Rio Games in August.
Del Potro is playing Stuttgart on a wild card and headlines a field featuring three Grand Slam winners in Roger Federer, himself and Marin Cilic.
The Argentine spent just over an hour on court as he returned to Stuttgart for the first time since winning the title on clay in 2008. He improved to 9-5 this comeback season and next plays Australian John Millman, who upset French eighth seed Lukas Pouille 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4.
“I’m surprised with my level,” Del Potro said. “I didn’t expect to play that well. Now I have another chance to get a few more matches. I’m just glad to be playing tennis again. I have the chance to make a start in the grass court season for the first time in a long time. My body has responded, I played for more than one hour, that helps to get ready for the next round,” the Argentine added.

First Round results
Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) beat Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 6-4 6-2 John Millman (Australia) beat 8-Lucas Pouille (France) 6-7(3) 6-3 6-4 Denis Kudla (U.S.) beat Dusan Lajovic (Serbia) 6-0 6-2 Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) beat Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) 7-5 3-6 6-3 Taylor Fritz (U.S.) beat Fabrice Martin (France) 3-6 7-6(6) 6-1 Florian Mayer (Germany) beat 6-Viktor Troicki (Serbia) 6-4 7-6(4)

Federer to face fearless teen Fritz
Stuttgart, Germany: Teenager Taylor Fritz earned the chance to face his hero Roger Federer after the American defeated an unranked French qualifier yesterday to reach the second round in Stuttgart.
Federer will be playing his first match in nearly a month after recovering from back pain and skipping the French Open, as he ramps up his preparations for Wimbledon.
Number 65 Fritz has had time on court with the Swi ss legend – a Wimbledon training session a year ago – but booked his place into the match of his life with a 3-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 win over Fabrice Martin on the grass at the Weissenhof Club.
Fritz, 18, said he will not worry with nerves when he faces one of the best players on the planet. The teenager said he had watched and admired Federer as a boy aged 11. “I never thought then that I’d be playing Federer in singles and teaming with (Juan Martin) Del Potro in doubles (this week). I cannot remember the first time I heard the name of Federer or saw him on TV. But it’s amazing to play him in the next round. I grew up in the generation when he was just dominating everyone. It’s crazy to be stepping onto the court with him, I never thought that would happen.”
Unseeded Argentine wildcard Del Potro posted a victory over Grigor Dimitrov, with the 6-4, 6-2 result marking the fourth straight first-round loss for the one-time Bulgarian phenomenon.  The former world number four next plays Australian John Millman, who beat French eighth seed Lukas Pouille 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-4. Czech qualifier Radek Stepanek, still going strong at age 37, booked into the second round as he beat Denis Istomin 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.
Viktor Troicki became the first seed to exit, to German Florian Mayer 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).