Wednesday in Atlanta will have a distinct American flavor, highlighted by three-time John Isner kicking off his latest title defense against Adrian Mannarino. Familiar foes and fellow Americans Donald Young and Tim Smyczek are also aiming for a place in the quarterfinals.
(1) John Isner vs. Adrian Mannarino
Isner and Mannarino will be squaring off for the seventh time in their careers when they clash in round two of the BB&T Atlanta Open on Wednesday. Not including a retirement by Isner at 1-1 in the first set of a 2013 Wimbledon encounter, the 6’10” American is a perfect 5-0 in the head-to-head series and has perhaps been even more dominant than that number suggests. Isner has never been broken by Mannarino in 57 service games and he has taken nine consecutive sets at the Frenchman’s expense.
Pick: Isner in 2
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Tim Smyczek vs. (7) Donald Young
As the aforementioned qualifying result suggests, Young has been nothing short of a disaster at his hometown tournament. After winning his first match at the inaugural event in 2010, the 27-year-old suffered four opening-round exits in a row to go along with his qualifying setback against Smyczek. Young almost endured a similar fate on Monday, but he saved two match points and battle back from 5-2 down in the third set to outlast Austin Krajicek 3-6, 7-6(9), 7-5. Needing some success in the worst way, Smyczek had not picked up a single ATP-level victory since he beat Young in Houston. But the world No. 116 also survived a three-setter on Monday, overcoming lucky loser Thiago Monteiro 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3. Asking Young to win back-to-back matches may be too much with pressure on in Atlanta, and Smyczek is playing just well enough to capitalize.
Pick: Smyczek in 3
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I think Young may have turned the corner here in his hometown….he’ll win in 2, and the Big Dawg in straight!
I also have a funny feeling he may just win this one… Will have to wait and see. Sometimes those matches where you save match points is what one needs to turn a corner
Isner in two and young in three
sick picks