Del Potro in doubt for French Open

Juan Martin del Potro could pull out of the French Open after the Argentine said he is struggling with shoulder and back problems.

The 28-year-old del Potro lost 7-6 (7-0) 6-4 to 125th-ranked Gastao Elias in the second round of the Lyon Open on Wednesday.

“I feel pain in the shoulder and back,” Del Potro said.

“I will go to Paris and I will take a decision soon about whether I play the French Open.”

Del Potro, who won the US Open in 2009, has not played in the French Open since 2012 because of injury problems.

After losing the opening set tie-breaker without collecting a point, sixth seed del Potro broke Elias’ serve in the first game of the second set but failed to capitalise.

With the set level at 4-4, the 26-year-old Portuguese claimed the last two games and will face Raonic in the last eight on Thursday after the Canadian defeated Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-4 6-3.

Raonic, the world No.6, fired eight aces and won 25 of his 30 first-serve points as he dominated a match lasting an hour and 25 minutes.

Ending Australia’s chances at the tournament, after the exits of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson bowed out in the second round.

Thompson was beaten 6-2 7-6 (7-3) by Russian world No.54 Karen Khachanov and he will face second seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Home favourite Tsonga fought back to secure a 6-7 (7-2) 6-2 6-3 victory over Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq.

Also making the quarters and set to play each other are seeded duo Gilles Simon and Tomas Berdych.

Berdych got over rising South Korean star Hyeon Chung 6-3 7-5, while Simon came from a set down to beat Brit Kyle Edmund 3-6 7-5 6-4.

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