Del Potro to play in Sydney

Sydney - Argentina's former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro will begin the 2012 season at the Sydney International next month, tournament organisers said on Friday.

The world number 11 will be back for the Sydney event for the second straight year and joins former top 10 players Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis in the men’s draw.

"In Sydney they gave me one of the first wildcards after my injury and I appreciated this very much from them," he said.

Del Potro, 23, began this year ranked 258 after battling a wrist injury throughout 2010, but finished the season just outside the top 10.

Del Potro also led Argentina to the Davis Cup final where Spain won 3-1 in Seville last weekend.

The Sydney International runs from January 8-14.