Olympic medallists Del Potro, Mattek-Sands get U.S. Open wildcards

Del Potro reached the men's singles final at the Olympic Games, losing in four sets to Andy Murray. Mattek-Stands won the mixed doubles gold with Jack Sock.

Juan Martin del Potro shows off his silver medal.

Juan Martin del Potro and Bethanie Mattek-Sands have been rewarded for their exploits at Rio 2016 with wildcard entries to the US Open.

Del Potro reached the men's singles final at the Olympic Games, losing in four sets to Andy Murray.

The 27-year-old Argentine, who upset Roger Federer to win his only Grand Slam singles title to date at Flushing Meadows in 2009, is ranked 141st in the world after struggling with a wrist injury in recent years.

But he surprised Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon last month and then ousted both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal before taking a set off holder Murray in the decider at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Brazil on Sunday.

The resurgent Del Potro will be joined in the draw by American Rajeev Ram.

Together with Venus Williams, Ram lost an all-American Olympic mixed doubles final to Jack Sock and Mattek-Stands, who has now been afforded a spot in the women's draw. 

Vania King, Laura Robson and Melanie Oudin were among the other WTA players to receive wildcard entries.