Juan Martin Del Potro is hanging on to the last two racquets of a 2012 Wilson model but almost broke one of them in frustration during his quarter-final victory against Radek Stepanek in the Sydney International. The old model, which Del Potro prefers, is no longer available, leaving just two racquets for Del Potro to use, rather than the eight or 10 most players carry. "I was close, but I can't do that yet," Del Potro said. "When I get eight or 10 racquets, I will smash all of them. I will talk before with the chair umpire to don't call me a code violation or something. I have to be allowed to do that after two years maybe. But, no, I'm trying to be calm . . . Even when Radek improved his game during the second set, I was positive, waiting for my chance."
Stolle's Arena honour
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Former Australian tennis player Fred Stolle was on Thursday inducted into the Tennis NSW Arena of Champions. The two-time grand slam champion played in seven grand slam finals, winning the 1965 French Open and the 1966 US Open. Stolle also won seven grand slam doubles titles between 1962 and 1969. The official Arena of Champions plaque will be placed on the outside of Ken Rosewall Arena.
Love and loss
It's going to be a quiet flight to Perth for partners Petra Kvitova and Radek Stepanek. Both players were bundled out of the Sydney International on the same day. Kvitova lost her semi-final to Bulgarian qualifier Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4, 6-3, while Stepanek went down to Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the men's quarter-final.
Watson calls time
Sydney International tournament director Craig Watson will move on after 15 years at the helm. Watson was honoured on Ken Rosewall Arena and presented with a memento of appreciation from the WTA.
Duckworth, Groth out
Australian doubles pair James Duckworth and Samuel Groth were defeated by Frenchmen Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the doubles quarter-final 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (10-8). Italian duo Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci will take on Lucie Safarova and Timea Babos in the women's doubles final on Friday.
Quote of the day
"When I get eight or 10 racquets, I will smash all of them." – Juan Martin Del Potro on his battle not to break the last two racquets of a superseded Wilson model.
Knocked for six
Two: the number of men's seeds who progressed to the quarter-finals of the Sydney International. Six of the eight seeded players were knocked out in the first two rounds, including Andreas Seppi, Jerzy Janowicz and Marin Cilic.
