Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina overcame a shaky opening set to defeat big-serving American John Isner 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday and win the Citi Open, underscoring his status as a major threat at the upcoming US Open.
Del Potro, playing in his first tournament since losing to Novak Djokovic in an epic Wimbledon semi-final a month ago, was at his best when it mattered most, converting four of six break-point chances.
After appearing tired and spraying the ball in the first set, Del Potro played near-flawless tennis the rest of the way to dispatch the towering Isner, who won in Atlanta last week and was seeking his third title of the year.
Del Potro had trouble returning Isner's missile-like serves early in the match but broke the American twice in the second set and in the opening game of the third.
"He broke me very early and I couldn't find my way with either my forehand or backhand," Del Potro said after winning the Washington tour stop for the third time.
"I was lucky in the second set to break his serve early. I was excited to come back in the match. I kept fighting all the time."
The 24-year-old Argentine broke Isner in the seventh game of the final set to take a 5-2 lead and brushed aside three break points in the final game to win the match.
Isner blasted 29 aces in his semi-final victory over Russian Dmitry Tursunov but managed only six against the top-seeded Del Potro, including just one in each of the final two sets.
"The aces weren't going to be as high just because of how far he was standing back," said Isner, at No 20 the highest ranked American. "He was so far back the guy calling the sideline had to get out of the way.
"With his reach, I knew he would get to a lot of balls. I'm sure that was his game plan, get my serve back and go from there. [My lack of aces] was more his doing than anything."
With the US Open beginning later this month, Isner said rated Del Potro just behind the two top-ranked players in the world, Djokovic and Andy Murray.
"I would put him maybe the smallest hair behind guys like Djokovic and Murray," he said. "He could very easily right now be the third favorite.
"He's got a very good shot to go deep [in the tournament]."
Isner said he thought Del Potro, who played the night match on Saturday and didn't get to sleep until 3 am, appeared listless in the first set but recovered quickly.
The American said Del Potro "definitely raised his level" of play in the second set. He said the service break to start the third set was crucial.
"I was telling myself whether I lost the set 6-1, like I did, or 7-6, there was still a third set. I was liking the position I was in, especially serving first.
"If I could have gone up 1-0 it might have been a little bit different. But he played a good game. He was tough from that point on.
"It's disappointing but I wasn't as good as my opponent today. It's as simple as that. My hat goes off to him. He was just the better player today."
Stosur beats Azarenka for California title
Australian Sam Stosur, who had failed to reach a semi-final this season, believes she has turned the corner after beating Victoria Azarenka, the world No 2, in the Carlsbad Open final on Sunday to earn her a first title in nearly two years.
Stosur, whose last win was the 2011 US Open, also beat Agnieszka Radwanska, the world No 4, in the quarter-finals and said the tournament had given her a massive of confidence.
"I think winning tournaments is the absolute proof that you're a good player and you're able to beat whoever you come across," Stosur told reporters.
"I know I've only won four in my career. But I know how I'm capable of playing and doing what I can do, then I know I've got a chance. I guess this week kind of helped prove that.
"It's great to be able to have now two top five wins in a week when I hadn't had one in quite a while. That is a huge confidence boost."
Stosur came into the final with an 0-8 record against Azarenka, but largely took the racquet out of the Belarusian's hands with huge serves and big forehands.
She said she had never doubted her ability to finally get past he former world No 1.
"I guess it's a different psyche each time you play someone," she said. "I went through something similar when I played Maria Sharapova a bunch of times. I think it took 10 times for me to be able to beat her.
"I knew it was possible one day against Vika, but the last two matches that we played have been very, very close. I felt like I was almost in winning positions with those two.
"So I think going into today there was no reason to believe that I wasn't going to be able to turn that result around and win today. It's a matter of playing well and doing it when it counts."
After losing to Russian Olga Govortsova in her opening round at the Stanford Classic, Stosur was not sure whether she should request a wild card into the Carlsbad Open.
She faced the same scenario in 2011, when she decided not to take a wild card into Carlsbad and went on to beat Serena Williams to win the US Open final.
"I knew that that was the past," Stosur said. "My coach David Taylor and I spoke about all the pros and cons. You can practice all you want, but at some point you got to put it into play in matches.
"That's why I came, and obviously now very, very pleased with that decision."
Azarenka has a bad back
Azarenka, meanwhile, pulled out of the Rogers Cup in Toronto with a lower back injury, the tournament announced.
"I'm so disappointed that I can't make it to Toronto as I added it to my schedule knowing what an important event it is," said Azarenka.
The tournament begins on Monday.
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