Main draw play in singles and doubles began on Monday at Atlantic Station. As the sun began to descend, loyal Atlanta fans were glued to their seat to witness a showdown between American Tommy Paul and South Korea’s, Hyeon Chung. Paul, who earned a spot in the main draw through the qualifying draw, outlasted Chung 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, but it wasn’t early.
Beginning the match with a long, six-deuce game, both players used their athleticism to run down drop shots and deft angles hit by their opponent. Momentum continually shifted through the first two sets as the opponents had long rallies throughout the set. Though Chung claimed the first set, Paul quickly bounced back in the second, winning 6-2.
Both players held serve at the start of the third. Paul claimed the first break of the set for a 3-2 lead on a laser-like forehand winner down the line. A pumped up Paul used this as confidence and the support of the crowd to finish out the set. He made a point to credit the enthusiastic Atlanta crowd for helping him keep his energy up through a “close and grueling third set.”
Paul next plays the winner of Reilly Opelka and Malek Jaziri.