Americans put on thrilling show at BB&T Atlanta Open

Jul 31, 2017
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Americans put on thrilling show at BB&T Atlanta Open

The event even featured an all-American final.

Published Jul 31, 2017

The BB&T Atlanta Open was the first of five big tournaments in the US Open series. American hands were on deck with the draw featuring 14 of 28 native sons. From beginning to end, the tournament had great fan support:

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Most of the young Americans did well, led by Tommy Paul’s two victories. And while Reilly Opelka and Frances Tiafoe failed to win their openers in dramatic fashion, Georgia Tech fans had to be pleased that their own Chris Eubanks was the one who defeated both Taylor Fritz and Jared Donaldson.

On the other hand, No. 1 seed Jack Sock had a tough loss to Kyle Edmund in his second match, as he hands back the crown of “Top American men’s player” to world No. 18 John Isner.

But Sock joined forces with his brother Eric to celebrate a milestone that goes far beyond the court:

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Meanwhile, Ryan Harrison provided much of the week’s drama. He came back from facing a match point to defeating his first opponent John Millman and won a thriller over Edmund in the semifinals.

Harrison and Isner battled in Sunday's final like two slugging boxers with steady diets of first serves that were literal body blows:

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Isner intensity was on full display. He tossed his racquet in the first-set tiebreaker, and he drew first blood by punching his strings:

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He even required some medial attention:

The shot of the final featured Harrison’s amazing backhand scoop for a sideline winner. It ended Isner’s astounding streak of 75 straight holds:

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In the end, Isner, a University of Georgia alumni, won his second title in as many weeks and claimed his fourth Atlanta title in five years. Maybe this peach of a tournament will one year be renamed “The Isner Open.”

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It wouldn’t be complete without a special show from Bob and Mike Bryan. They entertained off the court...

...in more ways than one. Few athletes could be as enthusiastic to sign this many tennis balls:

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The Bryans capped off the week with a slick 6-3, 6-4 victory over the unseeded pairing of Wesley Koolhof and Artem Sitak for their 114th career title.

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Follow Jeremy on Twitter: @JeremyEckstein1