From College to the Pros...

By: Ben Raby

WASHINGTON- Andy Roddick may have won last year's Legg Mason Tennis Classic, but John Isner came away the big winner... and we're not just talking about his 6' 9" frame. Isner reached the Legg Mason final in just his second career ATP tournament. The former Georgia Bulldog wasn't even two months out of college.

But Isner's powerful serve produced 144 aces in DC last year, as the Legg Mason played host to his coming-out party. Not bad for a guy who just eight weeks earlier was playing in the NCAA Singles Final.

Isner lost in the '07 NCAAs to Virginia's Somdev Devvarm in a three-set championship match. Devvarm would go on to defend his NCAA title in 2008, part of an impressive 44-1 season.

But now Devvarm is a pro, and like Isner a year ago, he's hoping to make some noise on the ATP Tour with a strong week here in Washington.

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And that got started today with a first round win over American wild-card Taylor Dent. Devvarm advanced to the second round with a 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 win, his first career ATP victory.

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"It was bound to happen sooner or later," said Devvarman, who also acknowledged the parralels between his Legg Mason debut and Isner's a year ago.

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"We've both gotten our educations, we both went to big football and basketball schools, both did the whole tailgating thing," Devvarman said. "But I had such a great time in college I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now we're just like any other college students who go on to get jobs. Our job just happens to be playing tennis."

Legg Mason Tennis Preview

By: Ben Raby

WASHINGTON- Grand Slam champions Andy Roddick and Marat Safin headline the 40th edition of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic which kicks off today from Rock Creek Park.

Roddick is the defending champion and is looking to become the tournament's second four-time winner (Andre Agassi won five titles here in the 1990s).

While many of the ATP's big names are in Beijing this week, the 32-man field in DC includes seven of the world's top-50 players. In addition to Roddick (#9) and Safin (#44), other notables includes former world #2 Tommy Hass (now ranked 40th), and American Mardy Fish (#43).

Roddick is the tournament's top-seed with 19-year-old Jaun Martin Del Potro seeded second. The two met in yesterday's ATP final in Los Angeles with Del Potro winning in straight sets. As the top seeds here in Washington, Roddick and Del Potro are on opposite sides of the draw meaning a second straight championship match could take place on Sunday.

Ten Americans are in the main draw including 2007 finalist John Isner. The 6'9" Isner relies on a powerful serve that produced 144 aces at last year's Legg Mason, a record for a non-Grand Slam event.

Isner takes on 8th-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain in today's featured night match on center court. Roddick isn't expected to play until Tuesday night.

New Looked Nats

By: Ben Raby

WASHINGTON- With the trade deadline passed and the Nationals' 38-70 record ranking last in the Majors, the Nats are officially looking towards 2009.

For the proof just look at tonight's anticipated lineup, where Alberto Gonzalez and Emilio Bonaficio (right) are likely to occupy the Nats' middle infield. Both will be making their National debuts.

Gonzalez has played 40 career big-league games, while Bonaficio has appeared in 19. Both were acquired within the past week, the shortstop Gonzalez coming from the Yankees system for minor league pitcher Johnny Nunez, while second baseman Bonaficio arrived from Arizona for closer John Rauch.

Bonaficio spent a week with Triple-A Columbus but is expected to stay in Washington for the remainder of 2008. The plan is to groom him to become the team's Opening Day second baseman next season.

Elijah Dukes (left) also returns to the lineup tonight after a stint on the DL. So with three players set to join or re-join the Nats active roster, some additional shuffling was needed.

It came as little surprise then when second baseman Felipe Lopez as well as veteran catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada were all released.

Fans will get their first chance to see Gonzalez and Bonaficio tonight from Nationals Park, as the Nats open a three-game series with Cincinnati. The Nationals have lost nine-straight, tying their season-high. Odalis Perez (3-8, 4.38 ERA) starts for Washington, while the Reds send out Homer Bailey (0-4, 6.52 ERA).