PARIS: Juan Martin del Potro made a triumphant return to the French Open on Tuesday, defeating compatriot Guido Pella in his first match at Roland Garros since 2012.
The injury-plagued Argentine, who sat out this year's Australian Open over fitness concerns, blitzed Pella 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the second round.
"I love to be playing this tournament again after five years," said Del Potro, who reached the quarter-finals in his last appearance in Paris before blowing a two-set lead against Roger Federer.
"I never could find the place where I have to go, because in five years, five years ago it was a really different tournament.
"I think that the tournament is getting better every day... I am so happy to be here after five years," added the 2009 US Open champion.
"When you have a great match as I played today, everything is easier to yourself. I'm looking forward to keep playing in the same way."
Del Potro, seeded 29th, will face Nicolas Almagro or Marcos Baghdatis next and is a potential third-round opponent for world number one Andy Murray.
His best result in Paris came in 2009 when he lost to eventual champion Federer in the semi-finals, the same year Del Potro beat the Swiss to lift the US Open title.