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It’s another tournament win for Del Potro

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From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Juan Martin del Potro won his fourth consecutive tennis tournament title Sunday, beating Viktor Troicki, 6-3, 6-3, in the final of the Legg Mason Classic at Washington.

The 19-year-old, ranked No. 19 in the world, has won his last 19 matches since June 25, when he lost to Roger Federer in the second round at Wimbledon.

At Washington, Del Potro held off three break-point opportunities for Troicki before ending the match with a 134-mph ace.

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All four of Del Potro’s tournament wins have come during this streak. He won clay-court tournaments in Stuttgart, Germany, and Kitzbuhel, Austria, in July. Del Potro won his first hard-court title last week, beating Andy Roddick in the final of the Countrywide Classic at UCLA.

Second-seeded Nadia Petrova defeated Nathalie Dechy, 6-2, 6-1, to win the Cincinnati Women’s Open.

Petrova clinched the win with a forehand return on her second match point to earn her first championship since the 2007 Tier II Paris indoor tournament. It was her first outdoor title since the Tier I Berlin Open on clay in 2006.

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Just when Rafael Nadal ended Federer’s 4 1/2 -year stay atop the ATP rankings, Ana Ivanovic moved back to No. 1 on the women’s side.

When the WTA Tour rankings come out today, Ivanovic, who held the No. 1 ranking for nine weeks from June 9 to Aug. 11, will be back on top, moving past Jelena Jankovic.

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PRO FOOTBALL

Johnson hurt during Bengals’ loss

Cincinnati’s Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson strained his left shoulder during the Bengals’ 27-10 exhibition loss to the Detroit Lions at Cincinnati.

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Johnson landed awkwardly on his left side after cornerback Brian Kelly intercepted a pass thrown his way on Cincinnati’s first series.

Johnson rolled on the field in pain for several seconds, then went to the locker room for an examination. Medical tests found no fracture.

With Tom Brady (sore foot) sitting out for the second consecutive week, the New England Patriots sputtered as backup Matt Cassel ran the show in a 27-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa, Fla.

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SOCCER

Chelsea wins, United draws

Chelsea gained an early advantage over Manchester United in the English Premier League title race, routing Portsmouth, 4-0, while the defending champion drew, 1-1, with Newcastle.

Chelsea, which finished second to United in England and in the Champions League, played well in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first game as manager and won with goals by Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Deco.

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PRO BASKETBALL

76ers re-sign Iguodala for six years

The Philadelphia 76ers re-signed Andre Iguodala, giving the restricted free-agent forward a six-year contract worth a reported $80 million. An official announcement is expected today.

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HORSE RACING

America’s Friend wins feature

America’s Friend edged Lightmyfirebaby by a length in the $109,700 Solana Beach Handicap for older fillies and mares at Del Mar.

Under Alex Solis, America’s Friend ran once around the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course in a stakes-record 1:32.98.

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PASSINGS

Orthwein, 84, former Patriots owner

James Busch Orthwein, the former New England Patriots owner who played a role in the Rams’ move from Anaheim to St. Louis, has died. He was 84. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said he died Friday at his home after a long battle with cancer.

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