Tennis: Weekend Winners

Juan Martin del Potro - Washington, DC

JMDP made it two consecutive titles in the nation's capital edging out top seed Andy Roddick 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(6) to win the Legg Mason Classic. Last season, Washington, DC became the fourth straight title win for the towering Argentine when he went on a 23-match win streak and vaulted up the rankings. He becomes the first back-to-back champion at the tourney since Andre Agassi won consecutive titles in 1998-99. It was A-Rod's first appearance on the ATP World Tour since the 5-set Wimbledon classic but also his second consecutive finals loss.

I expect Delpo to make a big splash during the U.S. Open Series and at Flushing Meadows where he reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal last season. He had the biggest win of his young career on the hard-courts in Miami when he defeated then top baller Rafael Nadal so they should serve him well in the coming weeks.

A-Rod looks like he's on his way back to his best and fully recovered from the hip flexor injury he sustained at Wimbledon. He's a former champ at Flushing Meadow and could make another deep run.

Flavia Pennetta - LA

Flavia won the seventh and biggest title of her career knocking off Sam Stosur 6-4,6-3 to win the Women's Tennis Championships. The Italian made it past Maria Sharapova in a 3-set semifinal tussle earning her first win over the Russian superstar in three tries before facing the Aussie. For her part, Sam has now gone 0-5 in finals dating back to 2005. Mental block perhaps?

Though Flavia walked away with the title this time, I see Sam making a bigger push during the US Open Series and grabbing stronger results at Flushing Meadows. The hard-courts favor the Aussie's big serve and attacking game while the LA champ has had her best results on the slippery stuff.

(Photo: Getty Images)

---

Rich Rodriguez is a self-described “tennis addict” who not only plays regularly around his home base of Brooklyn, NY but also writes the blog Down the Line!

Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

Comments

[Candy Collins]

Nice review Rich. I'm tennis addicted girl too.