'Delpo' proud of new Pope

California - Tennis star Juan Martin del Potro bubbled with pride on Wednesday after fellow Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as pope - and said he hoped he'd get a chance to meet him.

"We are all so proud of him," said del Potro, who like many Catholics around the world had kept an eye on the papal election conducted at the Vatican, even as he went about his normal business.

In del Potro's case on Wednesday, that was a brisk fourth-round victory over Tommy Haas to reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells hardcourt tennis tournament.

"I wish all the best to him. I think he's going to do his work perfect. I wish the best for him - and I'm very Catholic, so I like this new decision," said del Potro.

The 2009 US Open champion, nicknamed 'Delpo' said he'd like to have a chance to meet the first Latin American pope, perhaps when he plays in Rome.

"For me and for our country and for Argentinian people, it's so big," he said.