Exhausted Del Potro pulls out of New Haven event

By Simon Cambers

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (Reuters) - An exhausted Juan Martin Del Potro bowed to common sense on Monday and pulled out of the ATP event in New Haven, the final tournament before next week's U.S. Open.

The Argentine followed up tournament wins in Stuttgart and Kitzbuhel with back-to-back titles in Los Angeles and Washington to move up to 17th in the world rankings, but decided not to jeopardize his U.S. Open chances by playing in New Haven.

The 19-year-old will now have a week to recover before the year's final grand-slam event begins at Flushing Meadows on Aug 25.

"It is difficult to still play a lot of matches," Del Potro, who is on a winning streak of 19 matches, told reporters.

"I want to recover for the U.S. Open. Unfortunately I have to pull out of this tournament."

(Editing by John O'Brien)