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Tennis star Del Potro spent 40 mins stuck in a lift

Xinhua, August 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Argentinean star Juan Martin del Potro spent 40 minutes stuck in an elevator on Saturday morning, when a power cut stripped the Olympic Village of power.

According to his press officer Jorge Viale, writing on Twitter, Del Potro had to be rescued by members of the Argentinean men's handball team.

"That is how @delpotrojuan began his day, stuck for 40 minutes in an Olympic Village elevator due to a power cut," wrote Viale, also posting a picture of the tennis player during his predicament.

In a second message, he wrote "Without a cellphone signal, he was rescued by members of the Gladiators, the Argentinean handball team."

This was not the ideal situation for the 27-year-old since he will begin his quest for Olympic gold against world number 1, Novak Djokovic, whom he beat to win the bronze in London 2012.

Since then, Djokovic has gone from strength to strength while Del Potro has spent much time on the bench due to injuries to his wrists.

However, on Saturday, Del Potro scored a victory in doubles, alongside compatriot, Maximo Gonzalez, by knocking out Australia's Chris Guccione and John Peers by 6-4, 7-5.

"I hope not to go out too quickly," said the 2009 U.S. Open Champion, currently ranked 145th in the world, ahead of his clash with Djokovic. Endit