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).

Andy Roddick celebrates in his semifinal win over John Isner at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. (Photo by Roland Pintilie/OffWing Photo)

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.

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) lost to Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) in a tight 3 set match. Thursday Aug. 6th, Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

Tommy Haas (GER) def. Frank Dancevic (CAN) Tuesday evening at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

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)

Enjoy the following slideshow of pictures from the final.

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)