WASHINGTON
Top-seeded Andy Roddick lost to defending champion Juan Martin del Potro in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic final yesterday, falling 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6).
The winning shot came on a crosscourt forehand. The replay system on Roddick's challenge confirmed that the ball hit the outer portion of the sideline, and del Potro raised both arms above his head in celebration.
It was the first loss for Roddick in four Washington finals. Roddick won the tournament in 2001, 2005 and 2007.
This was Roddick's first tournament since losing an epic Wimbledon final to Roger Federer on July 5. Roddick had taken a monthlong break to recover from an injury to a right hip flexor suffered in that match.
Del Potro double-faulted on all three break points that he faced -- one in each set -- but he had no problems serving at the end. He had five of his 19 aces in the tiebreaker, including one on a second serve.
Del Potro lost serve for the third time in the match in the third game of the final set. With the score 30-all, he attempted to smash a high lob and missed, hitting it long. On the ensuing break point, he double-faulted and gave Roddick a 2-1 lead.
Roddick gave the advantage back with his own double-fault on break point to even the set at 3-all. Roddick's service loss was part of a run of 11 consecutive points won by del Potro.
That was the last break either player faced, with both holding serve until the tiebreaker.
Del Potro lost his only break point in the first set, when Roddick challenged a second serve. The replay showed it was wide, giving Roddick a 4-2 lead.
Roddick needed three tries at set point.
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