Harrison, Eubanks, Sock Advance
Singles Quarterfinals on Friday
ATLANTA, July 27, 2017 – Like John Isner, Ryan Harrison says he feels at home in Atlanta.
The Louisiana native, looked to the supportive Atlanta crowd and gave a huge fist pump after John Millman’s forehand fell into the net, giving Harrison a second round win at this year’s BB&T Atlanta Open. The No. 4 seed edged Australian John Millman in a marathon three-set match on stadium court 6-7(2), 7-6(4), 7-5.
A rain delay stalled play in the first set, but once the players returned, the face off began. In an intense first two sets, pace never wavered as both players struggled to find advantage over the other. Reaching 6-6, Millman dominated the first set tiebreaker, only dropping two points to take the lead. Losing the first only seemed to set a fire under Harrison going into the next. After struggling to break one another in the second set, the match was headed to yet another tiebreaker. A calm and collected Harrison stayed steady under pressure and strategically placed balls in all corners of the court to claim the tiebreaker and send the match to a deciding third set.
“One of the things I have been focusing on in the last 12 months is just understanding bad things are going to happen, but I am pretty sure 12 months ago I would have gone down in that match,” said Harrison.
The third set began just as the previous two, both players trying to find the elusive break of serve. Harrison finally found it in the tenth game of the set when he broke Millman with strong returns and the energy from the crowd seemed to carry Harrison through his final service game. A confident Harrison served big in the final game to send himself to tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
Against Chris Eubanks.
A dream week?
“Yeah, pretty much sums it up best you can. It is like a dream come true. I am hoping I am not waking up anytime soon,” said Eubanks.
The rising Georgia Tech senior had all the answers as he down No. 8 seed, Jared Donaldson, 64, 4-6, 6-3, in a match lasting one hour and forty-six minutes.
This is Eubanks first ATP World Tour quarterfinal and it comes in his hometown.
Next up is Harrison, and Eubanks says he’ll be ready.
“I know Ryan really well. I’ve watched him for years. Now it is time to step up on the court and see how I match up with him. I cannot wait.”
Ladies Day
Before Thursday's matches, around 100 women filled the Twelve Hotel for the BB&T Atlanta Open Ladies Day Out event. While attendees sipped on tea and munched on food, they had the opportunity to sign up to win a Celebrity cruise, bottles of wine and a Michael Kors watch. Dior also treated the women to makeup and perfume sampling. Attendees came from around the state and the country as far as Philadelphia, Penn.
The highlight of the event was listening to the 2015 BB&T Atlanta Open Champions, the Bryan Brothers, speak. The comedic and dynamic duo discussed the tournament’s upcoming matches, their favorite victories and their passion for music. They answered questions from parents in the audience about how to raise young twin tennis players. Also, they gave advice to siblings on how to communicate on the court.
The event concluded with a photo-op with the brothers, Dior gift bags and air conditioned rides to the tournament.
Remember to enjoy the Friday Fireworks presented by Coca-Cola at dark.
RESULTS - JULY 27, 2017
Men's
Singles - Second Round
[1] J. Sock (USA) d D. Sela (ISR) 6-4 6-3
[4] R. Harrison (USA) d [PR] J. Millman (AUS) 6-7(2) 7-6(4) 7-5
[5] K. Edmund (GBR) d P. Gojowczyk (GER) 2-6 6-4 7-5
[WC] C. Eubanks (USA) d [8] J. Donaldson (USA) 6-4 4-6 6-2
Men's
Doubles - Quarterfinals
[PR] J. Millman (AUS) / Sa. Ratiwatana (THA) d A. Qureshi (PAK) / So. Ratiwatana (THA) 6-2 6-4
W. Koolhof (NED) / A. Sitak (NZL) d A. Molteni (ARG) / A. Shamasdin (CAN) 6-7(7) 7-6(4) 10-7
ORDER OF PLAY - FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017
STADIUM COURT start 12:00 noon
[Q] T. Paul (USA) vs [3] G. Muller (LUX)
Not Before 2:00 pm
L. Lacko (SVK) vs [2] J. Isner (USA)
[4] R. Harrison (USA) vs [WC] C. Eubanks (USA)
Not Before 8:00 pm
[1] J. Sock (USA) vs [5] K. Edmund (GBR)
[1] B. Bryan (USA) / M. Bryan (USA) vs H. Chung (KOR) / J. Nedunchezhiyan (IND)
AJC GRANDSTAND start 2:00 pm
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