Melbourne, Australia - Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has lost in the third round of the Australian Open to Jeremy Chardy of France.
The 6-foot-6 (1.98 m) Argentine had only dropped 13 games in two matches before facing Chardy - the fewest number of all the men.
Chardy won the first two sets and, after sixth-seeded del Potro rallied to level the match, got the crucial break in the eighth game of the fifth set and then held to clinch the match, closing with an ace.
The 36th-ranked Frenchman frustrated del Potro with a mix of drop shots, well-angled forehands and backhand slices, one of which sent del Potro running into the stands in the third set.
His loss leaves just three Grand Slam winners in the men's draw. - Sapa-AP