Top seed and world No. 5 men's tennis player Andy Roddick of the United States and defending champion Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina have advanced to the finals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. Roddick will attempt to win this event for the fourth time.
Andy Roddick is this tournament's top seed, but he had his hands full Saturday night with American countryman John Isner.
The 2.06 meter-tall Isner won the first set of their semifinal, 7-6, but Roddick came back to win the second set, 6-2. Roddick, a three-time champion at this event, then finished the 2.31 hour match by winning the third set, 7-5. Roddick says Isner made him play his best game.
"With someone who serves that big you are at the mercy of their first serve. If they are making first serve life is going to be a lot more difficult. I think John made me play my best tennis tonight. Made me play well."
Roddick will next play defending champion and second seed Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina. Del Potro ousted fourth seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in straight sets (7-6, 6-3).
In the first semifinal, the temperature hovered around 30 degrees Celsius and rose throughout the day. Afterward, Del Potro said the heat and humidity affected both players.
"It was very tough for both [of us] to play with this heat," said Del Potro. "We feel the humidity and the court was so hot. I did short points and I have time to recover before the final, but it was very difficult."
Del Potro and Roddick have played only once before last year in Los Angeles with the Argentine winning in straight sets.
Weather forecasters are calling for temperatures around 35 degrees when the final starts Sunday. The tournament is a key warm-up for the U.S. Open in New York.
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