Tag Archives: Legg Mason Tennis Classic

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117th Ranked Nalbandian Wins Title


David Nalbandian by Max Cook

AUGUST 8, by Paula Schumann

Even before the two finalists walked onto the court, chants of “Ole Ole David” could be heard from the highest seats in the Stadium Court, and the Argentine flags were waving.  It appeared that we had a crowd favorite. 28 year old David Nalbandian (ARG), who is ranked 117th and came into the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on a wild card, was about to face Marcos Baghdatis (CYP), age 25 with a ranking of 25, in the singles final.  Nalbandian’s ranking had dropped after not playing for nine months due to hip surgery, and being out again for two month
this summer with a hamstring injury.

After the obligatory photo ops and hand shaking, the coin was tossed and Baghdatis was the first to serve.  It was broken and Nalbandian went on to serve and held for an early lead at 2-0.  Both players continued to dazzle the crowd, Nalbandian with his whip-like forehands and Baghdatis with his adeptness at the net.  Despite some double faults at key points, Nalbandian began to dictate play and finished off the set at 6-2 in 53 min.  As people got up from their seats you could tell what everyone was thinking….this won’t last long.

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Bagdatis/Nalbandian to Meet in Legg Mason Final


Marcos Bagdatis by Max Cook

AUGUST 7, by Paula Schumann

The weather was perfect for tennis on Saturday afternoon at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic as the first semifinal singles match got underway inside the Stadium
Court. Marco Baghdatis (CYP) faced Xavier Malisse (BEL) in a match whose
outcome seemed anyone’s guess. There was no favorite and no underdog.

The stadium was still filling up as the match began with Malisse serving. He
held his serve easily and seemed calm and confident. Baghdatis got off to a shaky start when his service game went to deuce twice before holding. But as
things progressed you could see the two styles of play establish a certain rhythm
that would prevail throughout the match. Mallise played deep from the back of
the court, confident with his seemingly effortless ground strokes, and Baghdatis
worked from inside the baseline, coming in to take points at the net.

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Upsets Continue at Legg Mason


Xavier Malisse by Max Cook

AUGUST 6, by Paula Schumann

There were more upsets at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic on Friday in the quarter final round played during the day session.  After Thursday night’s ousting of Andy Roddick, it seemed like anything could happen, and so it went. First up was Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs Xavier Malisse (BEL), winner of Thursday night’s match against John Isner.  They split sets, Malisse taking the first 6-4, and Berdych taking the second 3-6.

In the third set, Berdych showed some signs of coming unglued when he
challenged an in call on a shot by Malisse, which was confirmed in by shot spot.
He continued to argue that the shot spot was clearly wrong.  I heard others from
the crowd voicing the same opinion.  But shot spot rules, so play continued.  He
then regained his composure to serve a 129 mph ace.  Malisse seemed the
calmer of the two despite the occasional double fault and unforced error.  He
wasn’t letting it get under his skin or at least he wasn’t showing it.  He went on
to get an early break and then held his serve.  At 4-1, Berdych held his serve
when the game ended by Malisse mishitting a ball that flew into the upper stands.
Malisse still remained stoic, head down and onto the next game.  Berdych lost
another challenge on his serve, which just seemed to further unravel him.  On
match point he came to the net but his volley went long and Malisse took the set,
6-2, and the match.

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Storm Takes Out US Players


Xavier Malisse by Max Cook

AUGUST 5, by Paula Schumann

The skies broke open and the rain came lashing down just as the third round
matches were about to get under way on Thursday afternoon at the Legg Mason
Tennis Classic.  Despite the severe storm, play was able to proceed with the use of
large blowers to dry off the courts.  By around 8 pm, the action got started on
the Stadium Court with John Isner (USA) facing Xavier Mallise (BEL).  Shortly
after, the side courts were dry and it was a night that made choosing where to
be quite difficult.  I took the opportunity to spend some time on the side courts.
Because the rain had thinned out the crowds a bit, it was easy to get up close
and personal.  If you’ve always thought that the only way to see a match is on a
center stadium court, I highly recommend the smaller side courts for witnessing
the intensity and level of exertion of the pros.  I ran into a fellow tennis enthusiast
at one point who said she only likes to sit in the aptly named “sweaty seats”.

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Legg Mason Tennis Action


Andy Roddick by Max Cook

AUGUST 3, by Paula Schumann

Second round matches were under way on Tuesday evening at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.  The skies were cloudy but temperature tolerable, a slight reprieve from the otherwise hot and sticky weather of late. The grounds were buzzing with the crowd’s anticipation of seeing local favorite Andy Roddick.

First up on the Stadium Court were two lefties, Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs Michael Berrer (GER).  After taking the first set 6-4, Berrer continued to hold on to his lead in the second set, and at 5-3 it looked like it might be all over for Verdasco.  On what seemed like the final game, Berrer served and suddenly Verdasco came alive, taking the game to deuce.  Berrer got the next point by making a shot that clipped the net and fell onto the other side for ad in.  Verdasco won the next two points, seizing the opportunity to break Berrer’s serve.  The crowd, which was solidly behind Verdasco, went wild.  The turn around continued and Verdasco took the second set 7-5. Continue reading →

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Legg Mason Final Report


Tennis Fans by Max Cook

Contributed by Paula Schumann

In Friday’s quarterfinals we saw Gonzales beat Hass, and then came the news that the Soldering vs Del Potro match was canceled because Soderling withdrew, due to a sore elbow.  I had seen him playing earlier in the week and he looked to be in good form.  I noticed that his choice of outfit was trimmed in gold, as if to anoint himself the new prince of the tour.  When asked about his withdrawal, he said he woke up with the sore arm and his plan was to get an MRI and then to get healthy for the US Open.

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Friday’s Action at The Legg Mason


Fernando Gonzalez by Max Cook

Contributed by Veronica Jackson

While walking from the grassy parking lot, where they line up cars very tightly in neat rows at the Legg Mason Tennis Tournament on Friday, I met a fine young gentleman parked next to me who said, “I have no idea about this sport.” He was attending the daytime matches because a work colleague had given him tickets and the day was “too beautiful to pass up.” I gave him my brief rundown of why I love this game. It’s such a mental sport. One can be incredibly physically fit and have great technique, but if you don’t believe in your abilities and that you can beat your opponent, one can lose matches. I also assured him that it was an easy game to follow and he would enjoy himself. Besides, sitting anywhere in the Stadium at 1 PM on a sunny afternoon is a beautiful way to get a tan. We continued to walk towards the entrance. He went to Will Call as I bade him good luck and I continued through the entrance gates.

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Roddick Makes Debut at Legg Mason


Andy Roddick by Max Cook

Contributed by Paula Schumann

Tickets were sold out for Wednesday’s action at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in anticipation of seeing Andy Roddick play his first match of the tournament. The Stadium only really filled to its near maximum capacity as his match against Benjamin Becker (GER) was about to begin. Prior to that, I sat in on the Gonzalez (CHI) vs Falla (COL) match, which took place as the sunlight and heat were beginning to abate.

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Legg Mason Heating Up


Scott Oudsema by Max Cook

Contributed by Paula Schumann

Qualifying rounds at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic whet my appetite for what promises to be an exciting tournament.  Lots of big names are attending this year, among them Lleyton Hewitt, John Isner, Tommy Robredo, Tommy Haas, Robin Solderling, and of course, Andy Roddick, a Legg Mason favorite.  Andy is having an exceptional summer, coming off the astonishing final match with Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

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Legg Mason Official Draw Today


Andy Roddick by Not enough megapixels

This afternoon Mayor Fenty and other district officials will complete the Official Draw for the Legg Mason Tennis Classic which kicks off tomorrow morning.  In its 41st edition, the US Open Series event will feature three of the world’s top 10 and ten of the top 20 players, including (as usual) #5 ranked Andy Roddick, #6 Juan Martin Del Potro, #8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and #11 Fernando Gonzalez.

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