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Del Potro, just 22, hasn’t won anything since his 2009 US Open victory, when he defeated Roger Federer in a pulsating final.

That triumph, which included a semifinal beating of Rafael Nadal, pushed "Delpo" up to a No4 world ranking, but was also the last time he was seen in a Grand Slam event.

Forced to undergo surgery on his right wrist in May, he made two comebacks in September and October but was beaten in the first round of both events. his ranking fell to 259.

Despite his 2.001m height, Delpo has never been a typical banger. indeed, a big serve was one of the last weapons added to his repertoire as the young player developed at a rate of knots before his setback.

The big man has apparently told his fans on Twitter that he is feeling good and will take his place in the lineup for the Sydney International, starting today.

He is 45-1 for the Australian Open and though he will probably not be at his best, his progress in the Sydney tournament should be monitored this week.

Delpo is the dark horse here as possibly the only player over whom Nadal and Federer have not proven clear superiority.

Federer, who will be 30 this year, has been in rejuvenated form, splitting a few results with Nadal in tournaments and charity events in recent months. the smooth-moving Swiss son of a South African mother is second favourite at 22-10.

Nadal is five years younger than his biggest rival, and one has to believe that time is most strongly on his side. the hard-running Spaniard is the deserved favourite at 18-10.

Andy Murray (7-1) and talented Novak Djokovic (10-1) will be looking to sweep up the crumbs if disaster strikes the leading pair.

In the women’s draw, Belgians Kim Clijsters (5-2) and Justine Henin (15-2) are split on the betting boards by Polish-born Dane Caroline Wozniacki (11-2).

Clijsters, who like Henin is having a second bash at the circuit, has timed her return well, running into a field still without the injured Serena Williams and that boasts no outstanding quality.

There is no shortage of contenders for quarterfinal and even semifinal spots. Venus Williams (20-1), Maria Sharapova (12-1), the hard-working Vera Zvonareva (16-1) and another Belgian, Yanina Wickmayer (66-1), are just a few.

Samantha Stosur will benefit from playing before a home crowd and might do well at 14-1. the French Open finalist has been seriously inconsistent, which might be explained by a severe bout of Lyme disease (a sort of tick-bite fever with arthritis symptoms) that laid her low for almost a year in 2007. the symptoms can apparently recur years later and cause problems throughout the victim’s life.