Roddick loses to del Potro as Argentine defends Legg Mason title with 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) win

Roddick loses to del Potro in Legg Mason final

WASHINGTON —Top-seeded Andy Roddick lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic final on Sunday, falling 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) to the defending champion.

The winning shot came on a crosscourt forehand. The replay system on Roddick’s challenge confirmed the ball hit the outer portion of the sideline, and del Potro raised both arms above his head in celebration.

It was the first loss for Roddick in four Washington finals. Roddick won the tournament in 2001, 2005 and 2007.

This was Roddick’s first tournament since losing an epic Wimbledon final to Roger Federer on July 5. Roddick had taken a monthlong break to recover from a right hip flexor he injured in that match.

Del Potro double-faulted on all three break points he faced — one in each set — but he had no problems serving at the end. The second-seeded Argentine had five of his 19 aces in the tiebreaker, including one on a second serve.

Del Potro lost serve for the third time in the match in the third game of the final set. With the score 30-all, he attempted to smash a high lob and missed, hitting it long. On the ensuing break point, he double-faulted and gave Roddick a 2-1 lead.

Roddick gave the advantage back with his own double-fault on break point to even the set 3-all. Roddick’s service loss was part of a run of 11 consecutive points won by del Potro.

That was the last break either player faced, with both holding serve until the tiebreaker.

Del Potro lost his only break point in the first set, when Roddick challenged a second serve. The replay showed it was wide, giving Roddick a 4-2 lead.

Roddick needed three tries at set point, finally closing it out with the fifth of his 21 aces.

Roddick lost serve for the first time in the match to go down 5-3 in the second set. Del Potro didn’t take advantage, again losing his serve on a double-fault the next game.

Errors again hurt Roddick when he was serving down 6-5 in the second set. He hit a backhand long to give del Potro the break-point chance, and on the next point he hit into the net to even the match.