French Open 2018
Why should del Potro worry about a wild-card opponent whose peak ranking was No. 37 and who in recent years has evolved into a doubles expert at the expense of his already shaky singles? Two reasons: First, del Potro pulled out of his quarterfinals match against David Goffin almost two weeks ago with a thigh injury that has lingered. As of the weekend, he was still uncertain of playing the tournament. Second, Frenchman Mahut will have the home-court advantage on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Mahut is part of a small group of French players who rise to the occasion at Roland Garros. He and Michael Llodra were runners-up in the French Open doubles in 2013. In singles, Mahut has also reach the third round twice, logging wins against del Potro-like power-hitters Andy Roddick and Ernests Gulbis. Mahut is now concentrating on doubles mostly because he's 36 years old, but he has a real passion for the game. Mix that passion with his serve-and-volley game and a partisan crowd and it could spel...