Americans Taylor Fritz and Reilly Opelka will bid for spots in the Atlanta semifinals on Friday. Fritz, the top remaining seed, is facing Miomir Kecmanovic. Opelka, coming off a win over John Isner, goes up against Dan Evans.
Miomir Kecmanovic vs. (2) Taylor Fritz
Fritz and Kecmanovic will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the BB&T Atlanta Open on Friday night. Their only previous encounter came earlier this season at the Newport Beach Challenger, where Fritz got the job done 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. It is Kecmanvic, though, who has really taken off since that February showdown. He reached the Indian Wells quarterfinals as a qualifier, finished runner-up in Antalya, and now finds himself in the Atlanta quarters following straight-set defeats of Jack Sock and Ugo Humbert.
This marks Fritz’s second trip to the last eight in Atlanta, having previously advanced to this stage in 2016 (lost to John Isner). Ranked 32nd in the world and in obvious contention for a U.S. Open seed, Fritz earned a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed and then trounced qualifier Kevin King 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday night. The 21-year-old just recently captured his first career title in Eastbourne, but Kecmanovic has arguably been even more on fire and lost only four games to an in-form Humbert in round two.
Pick: Kecmanovic in 3
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Reilly Opelka vs. Dan Evans
Perhaps no one has been more impressive so far this week than Opelka, who has taken out each of the two recent Newport finalists. After beating Alexander Bublik 6-3, 7-6(1), the 6’11” American upset Isner 7-6(2), 6-7(5), 7-6(5) in a predictable contest that did not feature a single break of serve. Opelka now boasts 16 of his 24 career ATP-level match victories in 2019–including a five-setter over Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon.
Up next for the world No. 57 on Friday is a first career meeting with Evans, who has advanced past Jason Jung (6-1, 6-1) and Radu Albot (7-6(5), 5-7, 6-2). The 29-year-old Brit is surging back up the charts to 55th in the rankings, but he served at just 54 percent against Jung and 51 percent–plus 10 double-faults–against Albot. Any such serving wobbles would be disastrous with an opponent like Opelka on the other side of the net.
Pick: Opelka in 3
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WWW?
Opelka in three,Fritz in three(50 50 to me but it’s American hard court)
And tennistv are giving live coverage for first time this week.😃
Opelka (-124)!!!
Fritz in 2; Opelka in 2🎾💪
Opelka will probably win the tournament. I don’t see him losing, not only has his serve been beyond elite, but his forehand and backhand have been dialed in. I still can’t get over how good his backhand is for his size.
Go Demon! He was hot today!
Yes! ^^ He was Hot; but extremely patient and hung tough vs Opelka. Plus, Demon was my crazy bracket pick to win ATL. So happy he made it to the final. Go Demon!
Fritz over Norrie in 3.
Now, if he’d just shave off his stupid little mustache which looks like a soup stain on his upper lip. Makes me think of Murray’s muttonchop days in 2008, which one writer referred to as his “ill-advised facial hair”. LOL!
Anyway, I love the Demon’s attitude and spirit.
LOL yeah that is a dumb looking sort of nose hair mustache 😀
Now watching Fritz v Norrie and what I have been thinking is that Norrie at times plays too loose and misses but I like his personality and he is a better fighter than Fritz, imo. Fritz is finding it hard to get free points on his serve, which he dearl needs to beat Norrie. Oh….I see, Norrie is a lefty and he’s dialed in. Good match – big momentum shift from the first set. Cam is more alert atm.
Fritz needs a thinking cap.
Me too I love the Demon fighter.
I think he can take either of these two: Cam or Fritzy.