Atlanta R2 previews and predictions: Isner vs. Shelton, Brooksby vs. McDonald

John Isner will return to his Atlanta stomping grounds when he begins his latest title defense against compatriot Ben Shelton on Thursday. Second-round action is also concluding with another all-American match between Jenson Brooksby and Mackenzie McDonald.

(WC) Ben Shelton vs. (2) John Isner

To say that the Atlanta Open is Isner’s favorite tournament would be a gross understatement. In 11 previous trips to Atlanta, the 37-year-old has won six titles and has been to the final nine times. Isner might as well be playing at home as a former University of Georgia legend, even though he is from Greensboro, North Carolina. It rarely matters what kind of form the world No. 25 is carrying into this event, so it is of no concern that he has not been at his best in 2022. Isner at least has enough confidence after beating Andy Murray at Wimbledon and the reaching the Newport semis.

Up first for the No. 2 seed on Thursday night is Shelton. Like Isner, Shelton went–or is still going, depending on what he decides later this summer–the college route. In two seasons at the University of Florida, the 19-year-old secured one team National Championship and one individual NCAA title. Shelton is coming off a final (Rome) and semifinal (Indianapolis) and he won his ATP Tour main-draw debut match by defeating Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-2, 7-5 on Tuesday. Isner is a kind of test that Shelton has never seen before, but the teenager has a good enough serve to force at least one tiebreaker and maybe two.

Pick: Isner in 2

(6) Jenson Brooksby vs. Mackenzie McDonald

Brooksby and McDonald will also be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Thursday. Making his first appearance in Atlanta, Brooksby capitalized on a favorable draw by crushing Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round. The 43rd-ranked American is hoping to build some momentum, as he was just 3-6 in his last nine matches heading into this week.

McDonald has advanced at least one round in five of his last six events dating back to the French Open after he held off Denis Kudla 6-2, 7-6(8) on Tuesday. The 51st-ranked American broke serve a whopping five times in two sets against Kudla and now he is facing an opponent whose weakness is serving. A rock-solid returner like McDonald should be able to take advantage.

Pick: McDonald in 3