With Kyrgios out, three-time champion Isner returns to Atlanta as favorite

John Isner has reached the BB&T Atlanta Open final four straight years and the only active player who has defeated him at this tournament is no longer in the field. Nick Kyrgios’ recent withdrawal leaves the three-time champion Isner as the obvious favorite to triumph once again at what his arguable his favorite event.

Kyrgios took down the 6’10” American 7-6(3), 7-6(4) in last summer’s final. This time around, however, the 21st-ranked Australian is sidelined by a hip issue that also forced him to retire from his opening match at Wimbledon.

“Having to make the decision not to defend my title at the BB&T Atlanta Open was really tough and disappointing,” Kyrgios commented. “We were very hopeful up to the last moment that my hip could respond and allow me to compete at the highest level, but unfortunately it’s just not ready.  I hope all of the fans in Atlanta know that I wish I could have returned to win again, and hopefully I will be able to do so in the future.”

“Everyone in Atlanta wishes Nick the best and a speedy recovery back to ATP World Tour action,” said tournament director Eddie Gonzalez. “He has been a great BB&T Atlanta Open champion and we look forward to welcoming him back in the years to come.”

Isner’s return to Atlanta was never in doubt. The world No. 20 is 23-4 lifetime at this tournament with titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He finished runner-up to Mardy Fish in 2010 and 2011 before losing to eventual champion Andy Roddick in the 2012 semifinals. All of Isner’s setbacks aside from the one against Kyrgios have come in three sets. Isner will be additionally confident coming off a title this past week in Newport, where he won all four of his matches in straight sets and did not face a single break point.

Seeded second behind countryman Jack Sock, Isner awaits either Vasek Pospisil or Bjorn Fratangelo following a first-round bye. Gilles Muller, who upset Rafael Nadal en route to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, is the No. 3 seed and also owns a free pass to round two. Muller is in the same quarter of the draw as three qualifiers and wild card Reilly Opelka, who made a run to the Atlanta semis last season before falling to Isner.

In the second section of the bracket, six of the seven entrants are Americans–with Aussie John Millman the only exception. All-American openers feature Jared Donaldson vs. Ernesto Escobedo and Taylor Fritz vs. Georgia Tech standout Christopher Eubanks. Sock is a potential semifinal opponent for any of those competitors.

Marcos Baghdatis, who finished runner-up to Isner in 2015, kicks off his campaign against Kyle Edmund and could meet Sock in the quarters.

Quarterfinal picks: Sock over Edmund, Harrison over Donaldson, Muller over Jaziri, and Isner over Lacko

Semifinals: Sock over Harrison and Isner over Muller

Final: Isner over Sock

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