Wimbledon 2016: Juan Martin Del Potro bows out in third-round loss to Lucas Pouille

Pouille beat Del Potro 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 just one round after the Argentinian beat Stanislas Wawrinka

Juan Martin Del Potro's campaign came to an end in defeat by Lucas Pouille (Getty)

Juan Martin Del Potro's comeback grand slam ended in a third-round loss to Lucas Pouille at Wimbledon.

The popular Argentinian had not played at one of the sport's four major tournaments since the Australian Open in 2014, enduring three operations on his left wrist in the intervening two-and-a-half years.

Del Potro showed form of old to knock out fourth seed Stan Wawrinka in the second round but was beaten 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 6-1 by fast-rising Frenchman Pouille.

The 22-year-old was ranked 90th in January but is now up to 30 and will climb further after reaching the fourth round of a slam for the first time.

The match was suspended on an ugly note on Saturday evening as Pouille, who had just taken a two sets to one lead, got into a discussion with the umpire and was unhappy at being told to "shut up" by Del Potro.

Del Potro would no doubt have hoped the overnight break could change the momentum but Pouille was the more consistent player and showed delightful touch at the net to break in the fourth game of the fourth set.

Lucas Pouille reached the fourth round at Wimbledon by beating Juan Martin Del Potro (Getty)

The Frenchman had never won a tour-level match on grass prior to beating Marius Copil in round one but looked fully at home on the surface and will play Bernard Tomic in the last 16 on Monday.

Del Potro had not played any best-of-five-set matches since Melbourne in 2014 and the physical strain proved too much.

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He said: "I'm so glad to have the chance to play tennis again. I want to be better in the future.

"But I know it's a very long road to get better and get 100%. One match for me means I have to prepare mentally, physically, do my treatments on the wrist.

"I got exhausted in every match. I didn't have too much time to recover between matches after Wawrinka. But Pouille is a great player. He's 30 in the world.

"I'm not in a hurry to play better, I'm not in a hurry to go up in the rankings. I just have to stay patient and keep working hard, trying to get better as soon as I can."

Seventh seed Richard Gasquet also finished off a delayed match, beating Albert Ramos-Vinolas 2-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-2 6-3.

PA