The Legg Mason Classic is still rolling on at the Fitzgerald Tennis Center at the Rock Creek Park in Northwest D.C.. The most interesting match that took place on Thursday was between two competitors that are very close both on and off the court.
John Isner and James Blake are doubles partners when they aren't playing singles, and when they are of the court, they are very close friends and neighbors. But on Thursday, they had to play each other for a shot at the quarterfinals at the Legg Mason. In the end it was Isner who outlasted Blake, beating him in a third set tie break 7-6, 1-6, 7-6. According to ESPN.com, a third set tie break is something that Isner is pretty familiar with, particularly at this tournament.
"It's bizarre. It's hard to explain," said Isner, the Legg Mason runner-up in 2007. "I find myself in that situation, really, more times than not, especially on that center court. So it's definitely something that I'm accustomed to."
They played two matches on Thursday, so here are the rest of the results form Thursday's action.
Donald Young def. Michael Russell 6-3, 6-3
(12) Thomaz Belluci def. Tommy Haas 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
(7) Marcos Baghdatis def. Somdev Devvarman 6-2, 0-6, 7-5
(15) Dmitry Tursunov def. Flavio Cipolla 6-1, 6-4
(1) Gael Monfils def. Ryan Sweeting 6-3, 7-6
Then:
Monfils def. Tursunov 6-2, 7-6
Baghdatis def. Belluci3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Fernando Verdasco def. Nikolay davynedko 6-4, 7-5