Legg Mason Report: Roddick Drops a Set, Advances to Finals

John Isner (Kyle Gustafson / www.photokyle.com)

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In his fourth match of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, a semifinal contest against fellow American John Isner, #1 Andy Roddick was tested early and often, losing the his first set of the tournament and struggling to convert on break points. But finally, on serve at 5-5 in the third and decisive set, Roddick solved the powerful 6' 9" Isner (the last unseeded player standing) to earn a break, following up with a solid service game to close out the match 6-7(3), 6-2, 7-5 before an appreciative capacity crowd at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center. When painted into corners, Roddick was often brilliant on the move, making risky shots just out of Isner's reach for forehand winners.

With #2 seed Juan Carlos del Potro topping #4 Fernando Gonzalez yesterday afternoon 7-6(2), 6-3, the Legg Mason gets a #1 vs. #2 final. The championship match is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. today. It follows the tournament's doubles final which pits Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski of Poland against Martin Damm and Robert Lindstedt of the Czech Republic and Sweden, respectively. As of Saturday night, a very limited number of tickets remained and another sell-out is expected. If you miss out on tickets, ESPN2 will be broadcasting the finals live.