Nalbandian Superior in Washington

David Nalbandian returned from nine months of right hip rehabilitation only to incur a deep hamstring pull that sidelined the veteran player for nearly three additional months beginning in April. Now, Nalbandian can reflect back on all those hours in rehab and smile.

The Argentine upset eighth seeded Marcos Baghdatis in the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Sunday to notch a turnaround win. The win marks the third successive year that Argentina has claimed the trophy and sets Nalbandian in position to make a run on the U.S. Open.

Nalbandian, once ranked number three in the world, has always been regarded as possessing a dynamic forehand, but on this day, it was David’s backhand that stood out. The Argentine blistered backhand winners cross court and down the line and threw in drop shot-lob combines that caught Baghdatis flat footed.

The 28 year-old raised his 2010 record to 17-3 and won his first ATP event since winning in Sydney in 2009. The championship will move the hard-hitting victor into the top 50 players on tour. Entering the event, Nalbandian was ranked 117th.

For those fans who had doubts about Nalbandian’s fitness, the way he disposed of highly regarded Marin Cilic should have foretold the final result. Baghdatis was playing in his second final of the season. The Cypriot seems to find inner strength about midway through his matches.

After throwing away two loosely served games in the fist set, Marcos finally managed a break early in the second set. However, Nalbandian broke back and the players exchanged two more breaks before arriving at 5-6 with Nalbandian serving. The Cypriot earned a set point opportunity with a low backhand down the line sizzler. Nalbandian held and served out the game.

At 6-6, Baghdatis was simply overwhelmed by the Argentine’s pinpoint serving and strategic ground strokes that led him t win every set except one in Washington. Nalbandian raced to a 5-0 lead before finally claiming the title and heading for a well-deserved rest.

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