Atlanta R2 previews and predictions: Isner vs. Mannarino, Young vs. Smyczek

August 2, 2016 Ricky Match previews 4

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.

Nothing suggests the tide will suddenly turn at this event, which has to be considered Isner’s favorite on tour. A former college star at the nearby University of Georgia, this week’s No. 1 seed is also the three-time defending champion and owner of a 20-3 lifetime mark in six appearances. Isner has never lost prior to the semis and has exited prior to the final only once. The world No. 17 almost found himself facing Mischa Zverev in this one, but Mannarino broke back at at 5-6 in the third set and eventually outlasted the German qualifier 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) on Monday. Although Isner has been in mediocre form of late, he should have no trouble picking up another win in Atlanta and maintaining his dominance of Mannarino.

Pick: Isner in 2

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Tim Smyczek vs. (7) Donald Young

Young and Smyczek will be facing each other for the 16th time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the Atlanta quarterfinals on Wednesday. They two Americans have met twice at the ATP main-draw level, twice in ATP qualifying action, once on the Futures tour, and a whopping 10 times on the Challenger circuit. Smyczek is 2-0 in their ATP affairs, but Young leads the overall head-to-head series 8-7. They squared off in the 2013 Atlanta qualies, with Smyczek getting the job done 7-5, 7-6(3). He also got the best of their most recent encounter via a 6-2, 6-4 decision this spring on the clay courts of Houston.
Smyczek 1
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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4 Comments on Atlanta R2 previews and predictions: Isner vs. Mannarino, Young vs. Smyczek

  2. 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

    Reply

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