Del Potro Repeats As Legg Mason Tennis Champion
Juan Martin Del Potro won the 2009 Legg Mason Tennis Classic beating Andy Roddick in a gripping third set tiebreaker.
While the crowds were chanting, “Andy, Andy,” it was Del Potro who hit four aces in the tiebreaker which proved too much for Roddick to overcome. Del Potro went up to a 6-3 lead, holding three match points in the tiebreaker. The first break point was erased by a Roddick ace, the second by backhand pushed wide and then Roddick won a mini break against Del Potro to even things back to 6-6. After a Hawk-eye review of the lines call it was the fourth match point that Del Potro needed to win the match.
Looking strong, Roddick took the first set from Del Potro by a score of 6-3. Del Potro who is just starting his summer warm-up on the US hardcourt season with the finale in NY at the US Open.
Del Potro came out stonger in second set playing much stronger in the second set breaking Roddick’s serve early. Andy broke back though in the tenth game to bring the set even at 5-5. Serving to take the second set into a tiebreaker the slimmed down version of Andy ran down an incredible drop shot for his own winner, but it was Del Potro that continued with his outstanding tennis to get the break and win the second set, 7-5.
Andy got an early break after running down a series of shots from side to side before throwing up a lob and then Del Potro shanked the overhead wide. But nerves also crept in to Roddick after being broken at love as he double faulted at game point to even the third set at 3-3.
Damm/Lindstedt Win Men’s Doubles Title
In their first year as a doubles team, Martin Camm and Robert Lindstedt earned their third ATP World Tour title today at the Legg Mason. Camm/Linstedt beat the fifth seeded team of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski by a score of 7-5, 7-6(3).
Roddick Win Sets Up Final Of Champions
Andy Roddick celebrates in his semifinal win over John Isner at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. (Photo by Roland Pintilie/OffWing Photo)
Del Potro Bests Gonzalez In Semifinals
Fernando Gonzalez hits a volley during his semifinal match with Juan Martin del Potro at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. (Photo by Roland Pintilie/OffWing Photo)
Two South Americans meet in the first semifinal match today, Argentinian Juan Del Potro, #2 seed, and #4 seed Chilean Fernando Gonzalez. Del Potro won the tournament last year and must defeat his ATP points.
The Chilean was down early, broke back and lost in the tie breaker after 3 opportunities to close, in a very entertaining first set.
In the second set; heat took its toll on both players, Gonzales mounted a fight after getting his second wind and being down 3-0, to end the match 6-3.
Thursday, Aug. 6th, Legg Mason Tennis Classic
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) lost to Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) in a tight 3 set match. Thursday Aug. 6th, Legg Mason Tennis Classic.
Tuesday, Aug. 4th, Legg Mason Tennis Classic
Tommy Haas (GER) def. Frank Dancevic (CAN) Tuesday evening at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.
“Puchie” Plays Tough As DC Wins WTT Championship
- WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 26: Olga Puchkova of the Washington Kastles is lifted by team mates after winning the final match and clinching the Advanta World TeamTennis Championships for the Washington Kastles over the Springfield Lasers played at Kastle Stadium, CityCenter DC in Washington, DC on July 26, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
It was an unlikely hero that helped the Washington Kastles win their first Advanta World TeamTennis Championship in dramatic fashion with a win over the Springfield Lasers.
To chants of “Olga” and “Puchie,” it was Olga Puchkova who raised her game and fought off the nerves that turned her serve from weapon to liability.
The order of play for the night had numerous tennis players holding tennis Grand Slam victories play their matches earlier in the night. Springfield played tough throughout and Washington was never able to open a large lead despite having the firepower of Scott Oudsema, and double specialists Rennae Stubbs and Leander Paes.
The Kastles went into the final match with just a two game lead and pitting Puchkova against the League’s Female MVP, Vania King, and if needed they would complete the team match in overtime play. King lived up to her billing reaching a 4-2 lead and holding three championship points.
But that is when coach Murhpy Jensen went into overdrive helping to calm Puchkova’s nerves. Kastle’s Scott Oudsema and Rennae Stubbs donned their rally caps, wearing the baseball caps inside out and the large crowd started chanting, “OLGA.”
While Kastle’s Scott Oudsema earned the MVP of the Championship game it was Puchkova’s gutsy play overcoming a worthy opponent in King and her own demons when it came to serving. Puchkova fought off three championship points to defeat King and lead Washington to a 23-20 victory over Springfield.
Puchkova credited her team and the Kastles crowd with pushing her to the victory. “It was amazing, it was awesome,” said Puchkova of the crowd chanting her name in the final games of her match with King. “The win boosted my confidence a lot. Hopefully this year I can build on this experience.”
“The team just never game up,” said Coach Jensen. “That’s what makes WTT so exciting.”
Kastles team owner Mark Ein called it the most exciting match he had ever seen. “It’s a dream come true to win this in front of our fans,” Ein said.
Breakdown of the Match – Washington (23) over Springfield (20)
- Men’s Singles – Scott Oudsema (Kastles) def. Raven Klaasen (Lasers) 5-3
- Mixed Doubles – Rennae Stubbs\Leander Paes (Kastles) def. Liezel Huber\Martin Damm (Lasers) 5-4
- Men’s Doubles – Scott Oudsema\Leander Paes (Kastles) def. Martin Damm\Raven Klaasen (Lasers) 5-4
- Women’s Doubles – Liezel Huber\Vania King (Lasers) def. Rennae Stubbs\Olga Puchkova (Kastles) 5-3
- Women’s Singles – Olga Puchkova (Kastles) def. Vania King (Lasers) 5-4
Enjoy the following slideshow of pictures from the final.
Kastles Into WTT Finals
- WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 24: Owner Mark Ein and Members of the Washington Kastles celebrate following their victory in the Eastern Conference Championships of World TeamTennis over the New York Sportimes at Kastle Stadium at CityCenter DC in Washington, DC on July 24, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
In only the second year of the franchise’s history the Washington Kastles have earned a birth into the Advanta World TeamTennis Championships with their win over the New York Sportimes.
The victory came overtime, by a score of 22-19 over the New York Sportimes. The win came down to the shoulders, and serve, of Scott “Boom Boom” Oudsema, who played in the final match of the evening against Sportime’s, Robert Kendrick. Oudsema pushed Kendrick, one of the best singles players in the league, but narrowly lost in a tiebreaker in regular match play. Oudsema however held tough and defeated Kendrick in the first game of overtime.
The Kastles displayed once again that the strength of their team is with their doubles. The Kastles have high ranking male and female double players in Leander Paes and Rennae Stubbs. Paes was recognized last night as the League’s most valuable male player. Paes and Stubbs have a combined 16 Grand Slam victories between them.
The Kastles will defend their home turf, Kastles Stadium against the Springfield Lasers, on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Advanta WTT Championship Finals.
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 24: Owner Mark Ein of the Washington Kastles celebrates with Coach Murphy Jensen after winning the Eastern Conference Championships of World TeamTennis against the New York Sportimes at Kastle Stadium at CityCenter DC in Washington, DC on July 24, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
Kastles Clinch Last Playoff Spot
WASHINGTON, DC – July 21: Scott Oudsema celebrates during tonight’s match against the Springfield Lasers. The Kastles won 21-14, securing the final World Team Tennis playoff spot. Washington will host the New York Sportimes in the Eastern Conference Championship Friday. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWing Photo)
Nadia Petrova Makes Washington Debut
WASHINGTON, DC – July 21: The Washington Kastles signed Nadia Petrova this week, who is ranked No. 10 in the world. She helped the Kastles to a win over the New York Buzz tonight in her first visit to the district, and is expected to “enhance their chances” at clinching a playoff berth, the team said in a statement. Washington will take on the Springfield Lasers tomorrow at home in their final regular season match. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWing Photo)
Serena Williams Leads Kastles to Win
WASHINGTON, DC – July 15: Serena Williams celebrates with her mixed doubles partner, Leander Paes. In a whirlwind day in Washington, Williams visited President Obama at the White House, played tennis with a child to grant his “Make-a-Wish,” and led the Kastles to a 22-12 win over the Newport Beach Breakers. (Photo by Kate McGovern/OffWing Photo)
Fans Have Fun While Kastles Fall
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 7: Venus Williams of the Philadelphia Freedom celebrates with fans after playing with some kids from the crowd during a World TeamTennis match against the Washington Kastles at Kastle Stadium at CityCenter DC in Washington, DC on July 7, 2009. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
Just three days ago Venus Williams (of the Philadelphia Freedom) was playing in the Women’s singles final at Wimbledon with her sister Serena Williams (of the Washington Kastles). Tonight, Venus Williams was in Washington playing for Philadelphia while Serena was elsewhere.
Venus made the difference for Philadelphia as they cruised to a victory against Washington, 23-16. For the Kastles it was their home opener and the second loss of the season.
Despite being loaded with talent the Kastles coudn’t overcome the advantage of having Venus on hand. New for the Kastles this year is Leander Paes, Rennae Stubbs who have a combined total of 16 Grand Slam titles. Rounding out the team is newcomer Olga Puchakova and returning Scott “Boom Boom” Oudsema.
Murphy Jenson And Serena Williams Set To Lead Washington Kastles
Venus Williams will return as a member of the Washington Kastles for the 2009 season. (Photo by Allen Clark/www.OffWingPhoto.com)
World TeamTennis will be returning to Washington, DC again this summer. Last year’s inaugural season of the Washington Kastles brought tennis into the city’s business district as a tennis court magically appeared from a parking lot on the grounds of the former Washington Convention Center.
This year’s Kastle’s team will have some old and new faces on the team. A sure hit among the DC crowds will be returning headliner, Venus Williams. Coaching the team will be Murphy Jensen.
Here is the entire Washington Kastle team:
- Murphy Jenson – Coach, French Open Men’s Doubles Champion and winner of three more tour doubles titles. He also played ten seasons of World TeamTennis during his career before turning his attention to television. Murphy hosts “Murphy’s Guide” and “Open Access” for the Tennis Channel and has been featured in Sports Illustrated and Rolling Stone.
- Serena Williams, ten-time Grand Slam singles champion plus many other assorted tour singles and doubles titles.
- Leander Paes, the world’s fifth-ranked doubles player and an eight-time Grand Slam champion
- Angela Haynes, the 2006 WTT women’s MVP who is currently ranked 137th in singles and 112th in doubles in the world
- Coco Vandeweghe, winner of the 2008 U.S. Open Girl’s title
- Scott “Boom Boom” Oudsema, a member of the 2008 Kastles who finished with the fifth-best singles record among WTT roster players last season.
Highlights From Last Year
SAP Open: James Blake Injures Back On Opening Day
JAMES BLAKE INJURED HIS BACK IN DOUBLES MONDAY
OffWing’s contributing correspondent, Jon Swenson of the Sharkspage, is covering the SAP tennis tournament in San Jose, CA. The SAP pulls some of the biggest names in Men’s tennis, all competing for than $1 million in prize money.
View the opening day coverage here.
PETE SAMPRAS HAMMERS AN ACE AGAINST TOMMY HAAS MONDAY AT THE SAP OPEN
This year’s tournament includes the following players:
- ANDY RODDICK
- JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO
- JAMES BLAKE
- MARDY FISH
- RADEK STEPANEK
- JARKKO NIEMINEN
- NICOLAS KIEFER
- SAM QUERREY
- IGOR KUNITSYN
- ROBBY GINEPRI
- ERNESTS GULBIS
- TAYLOR DENT
- FLORENT SERRA
- STEVE DARCIS
- GUILLERMO GARCIA-LOPEZ
- KEI NISHIKORI
- YEN-HSUN LU
- LLEYTON HEWITT
- CHRISTOPHE ROCHUS
- BOBBY REYNOLDS
- VINCENT SPADEA
- GUILLERMO CANAS
- TOMMY HAAS
From the OffWing Labs
Juan Martin Del Potro defeated Tommy Haas, 6-2, 6-1.
You can also view additional photos from Saturday’s semi finals matches by visiting our flickr feed.
Legg Mason Tennis Classic – Day 5
Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the fifth day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.
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As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.
Legg Mason Tennis Classic – Day 4
Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the fourth day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.
www.flickr.com
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As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.
Legg Mason Tennis Classic – Day 4
Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the fourth day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.
As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.
Legg Mason Tennis Classic – Day 3
Photo coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic continues on the third day of action. Photos will be updated as they become available through the flickr feed below.
www.flickr.com
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As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.
Legg Mason Tennis Classic Day 2
Coverage of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic will take place on the OffWing Opinion. From here we will give you a feed that will be updated throughout the day as match play continues.
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As always, if you are a blogger and would like to use our photographs please contact us.
