Del Potro halts Haas to reach Washington final

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - Juan Martin del Potro rolled over Tommy Haas 6-2, 6-1 Saturday to advance to the final of the ATP Legg Mason Classic and mark his fourth consecutive finals appearance.

"I'm very, very confident," del Potro said. "And I have to use that confidence tomorrow."

Del Potro, who has won three-straight titles, had little trouble with Germany's Haas in the semi-finals of the 500,000 dollar event.

Del Potro has now won 18 consecutive matches and captured tournaments in Stuttgart, Kitzbuhel and Los Angeles.

Beating American Andy Roddick in Los Angeles is the highlight of his breakthrough run so far.

Del Potro did more than enough to justify his No. 19 ranking against Haas, however, as he committed just 15 unforced errors during the 82-minute match.

A former world No. 2 Haas was overwhelmed by the upstart teenager, who won nine consecutive games after falling behind 2-1 in the opening set.

"I made a few easy mistakes, but he played really really solid," said Haas, adding that del Potro may open some eyes at upcoming US Open. "You would probably have to put him as a darkhorse, he's someone to watch."

The 19-year-old will be favoured in Sunday's final against Viktor Troicki of Serbia, who fired seven aces en route to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Russia's Igor Kunitsyn.

• Email Story
• IM Story
• Printable View
• Blog This

Recommend this article

Related Articles: Sports

• West Brom snap up OlssonAFP - Saturday, August 30
• Jankovic works overtime, makes 4th round at OpenAP - Saturday, August 30
• Olympian Bolt adds 400 relay to 100 in ZurichAP - Saturday, August 30
• Football: West Brom snap up OlssonAFP - Saturday, August 30
• Aussie swimmer says rivals' mistakes helped PhelpsAP - Saturday, August 30