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8/9/09 5:32 AM | Ricky Dimon
The top two seeds managed to navigate their way through arguably the best draw in Legg Mason Classic history. Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro will square off on Sunday afternoon for the title.
For the second straight summer, Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro will do battle in the final of a U.S. Open Series event. Their only previous meeting came last year in Los Angeles, where Del Potro upset Roddick 6-1, 7-6(2). Even more will be at stake this time around, as 500 ranking points are up for grabs at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.
This time it would be no kind of upset if Del Potro again getst he best of Roddick. The 20-year-old Argentine is ranked sixth in the world and he recently enjoyed a trip to the French Open semifinals, where he led Roger Federer two sets to one before falling in five. Del Potro is the defending champion in Washington; his triumph in 2008 was the fourth of four straight tournament titles. Seeded second as he attempts do defend, Del Potro survived both Yen-Hsun Lu and Lleyton Hewitt (in a third-set tiebreaker) in three sets. He then got a walkover against Robin Soderling (elbow) in the quarterfinals before taking out Fernando Gonzalez in straight sets.
Roddick, too, is one of the hottest players on tour this season. After a lackluster 2008 campaign, he has reinvented himself under new coach Larry Stefanki. The world No. 5 reached the final of Wimbledon but has not played since then due to a minor hip injury. Roddick also posted a best-ever performance at the French Open (fourth round) and appeared in the semifinals of the Australian Open (lost to Roger Federer both in Australia and at the All-England Club). Washington's No. 1 seed dispatched Benjamin Becker, Sam Querrey, and Ivo Karlovic all in straight sets to reach the semis. Roddick then survived suprise semifinalist John Isner 7-5 in the third set.
"I will have to play much better than today," Del Potro said after his win over Gonzalez. "(Roddick) has improved a lot since we played."
"I'm going to have to hit the ball really well from the baseline," Roddick said. "(Del Potro) drives the ball through the court as well as anybody. It's a matter of surviving early on, getting it down hopefully to where it's just a few big points."
If it does come down to just a few big points, which is likely the case, Roddick could have an edge due to his huge serve. The American crowd in Washington will also help. Expect a thriller, but look for Roddick to prevail in three.
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SeniorPlaid: I commented on other thread that I couldn't understand how Andy R lost! I don't like JMDP for reasons you mentioned, yes he looks mechanical to me. He's got a huge serve and a very effective forehand but it's like watching an elephant play tennis, you marvel at it, but it just ain't right!
deuce , 8/10/09 4:14 PM
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It was a thriller, but you got the winner wrong, although in all fairness, the match was essentially a draw -- that makes two straight draws that Roddick has lost.
To others on this here site, what's your impression of Del Potro? It was the first time I've really seen him play, and I can't say that there was anything about his game that stood out to me. Sure he has the big serve and his court coverage seems OK, although if he gains any weight, he'll probably lose that half-step that makes the difference. But overall his game seemed mechanical to the point where I can't see him being much of a threat at the big events.
On the other hand, he is only 20. Ivan Lendl's game was pretty bland, too, and he seemed to do all right with it.
SenorPlaid , 8/10/09 4:03 PM