Juan Martin del Potro beats Stan Wawrinka in 4 sets at Wimbledon

— -- LONDON -- After a three-year absence from Wimbledon, Juan Martin del Potro is making another strong run at a Grand Slam.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who has undergone three surgeries on his left wrist since 2014, beat fourth-seeded Stan Wawrinka 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 on Friday to reach the third round on another rainy day at the All England Club.

"My hands [are] shaking," Del Potro said after walking off Centre Court to a loud ovation. "It's a great sensation for me because I'm playing tennis again and I feel alive."

Wawrinka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, is the highest-seeded man eliminated so far.

"It's great for tennis to see him back," the Swiss player said of Del Potro. "He's a great guy, a really good player, big champion."

The match was played with the retractable roof closed over Centre Court, with play on the outside courts delayed and interrupted by scattered rain.

This is Del Potro's first appearance at Wimbledon since 2013, when he reached the semifinals, and his first at any major since the 2014 Australian Open.

"After my third surgery, I've been trying to play tennis again," he said. "It's like my second or third career in my short life. Now I am in the third round in my first Grand Slam after three years. That means a lot of good things for me."

The 27-year-old Argentine, who had played just one match against a top-10 player since November 2013, showed flashes of the explosive game that made him one of the most feared men in tennis.

After dropping the first set, Del Potro lifted his game and took a 4-1 lead in the second set to take control. He relied on his low, flat and deep forehand, which is considered one of the best shots in the game.

Wawrinka, who has reached the quarterfinals twice at Wimbledon, was far from his best, with more unforced errors than winners -- 48 to 47. Even Del Potro's stats weren't great, with 23 winners and 25 unforced errors. But he managed four breaks of serve, compared to three for Wawrinka.

"I beat one of the guys who is playing great tennis this season," Del Potro said. "I couldn't expect this victory for today, but I think I played much better after the first set. And I really enjoyed the crowd."

Roger Federer eliminated another British player at Wimbledon, beating Daniel Evans 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the fourth round.

Playing under the roof on Centre Court, Federer won his 305th singles match at a Grand Slam tournament, only one behind the record set by Martina Navratilova.

Federer, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, beat British qualifier Marcus Willis in the second round.

One of the many matches that was suspended or postponed Friday was between three-time champion Novak Djokovic and Sam Querrey. Djokovic lost the first two sets of the third-round match 7-6 (6), 6-1 before the final rainstorm came.