TOP-RANKED Novak Djokovic was swept out of the Olympic tennis tournament in the first round Sunday by 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2).

    Because of three left wrist surgeries, del Potro is ranked just 145th in the world. But when the big Argentine is healthy and smacking his signature forehand around the court, his play is worthy of the gold-medal match.

    It would be a forehand off the net cord that clinched victory on his second match point. The two shared a long embrace at the net, with both players left sobbing.

    These two men faced off for bronze in London four years ago, with del Potro winning. When he arrived at Wimbledon this year, though, he hadn’t appeared at a major in 2 years and 6 months.

    In the second-set tiebreaker, del Petro crushed two straight forehand winners on Djokovic’s serve to take a 3-0 lead. It would be 5-0 before Djokovic scored a point. At 2-2 in the first-set tiebreaker, del Potro won three straight points to take control. A big forehand that Djokovic couldn’t get back gave him three set points, and he converted the second when Djokovic’s forehand sailed wide.

    (SD-Agencies)