The final of this year’s Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C., Sunday was one of the more entertaining in years. Andy Roddick was pitted against an upstart newby who was on the verge of “tournament darling” status, and seemed on a mission to “school” the boy and impose on him his hard-earned rock star status.
By now a seasoned veteran at only 24, Roddick started playing the Washington tournament at age 18 in 2000. This Sunday marked his third title here. As a tune up for the U.S. Open, it was a step forward toward regaining the stature that saw him ranked first in the world in 2003. But it was also more, something akin an older buck pitted against a young challenger for the hearts of the fans.
