Forget Arnaud Clement, Amos Mansdorf and Thomaz Koch. It’s time to remember the more illustrious champions of Washington’s annual ATP Tour stop. Who are the five greatest players to survive the heat and win in Rock Creek Park?
5. Michael Chang » He was at the peak of his powers when he became the second player to win back-to-back in Washington (1996-97). The first was Andre Agassi (1990-91). In between those victories, Chang won five times elsewhere.
4. Guillermo Villas » From 1974 to 1981, he made it to five finals, winning three. His most memorable title match, however, came when he was upset by local favorite Harold Solomon of Rockville in 1974, a result that Villas reversed in the finals the following year.
3. Andy Roddick » If it wasn’t for the Olympics, Roddick might have won more than three times. His best victory in the finals came over newly turned pro John Isner in 2007. His most memorable loss came in a third-set tiebreaker in the finals against defending champion Juan Martin del Potro in 2009.
2. Jimmy Connors » He won three times in Washington, with the longest span between victories (1978, 1988). His win at age 35 allowed him to join Ivan Lendl as the only players to win in D.C. on clay and hard courts.
1. Andre Agassi » From 1990 to 1999, Agassi won more times in Washington (five) than any other player. His most memorable match was a three-set victory over Stefan Edberg in 1995. The rest of his finals victims weren’t as illustrious — Jim Grabb, Petr Korda, Scott Draper and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
– Kevin Dunleavy
