July 27, 2022 – Second round matches on Tuesday in Atlanta at the 2022 Atlanta Open. This year's ATP 250 event runs from July 23-31, as the U.S. Open Series kicks off on the North American hardcourts at Atlantic Station.
Recap of today's matches:
Paul advances to quarterfinals after dominant win over Kwon
American Tommy Paul smashed his way to victory against South Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon in the round of 16 of the singles tournament by a score of 6-3, 6-3. This was the first time the two have ever faced off.
Paul, age 25, is ranked No. 36 in singles and is the reigning champion of the Stockholm Open after claiming the title last November.
Paul started the game quickly, winning his first serve and breaking Kwon in the second game. The 24-year-old Korean did not let that discourage him, however, as he showed he could get back into the match by breaking his serve and tying the set 2-2. Unfortunately, he could not keep the momentum going and ended up losing the set 6-3 as Paul tended to be a little more consistent. .
The second set started like the first with Paul breaking Kwon for the third time in the match. Even with a little erratic play, Paul managed to keep his composure and ride the support of the crowd to win the final set 6-3.
USA’s Frances Tiafoe defeats the Japanese Taro Daniel 7-5, 6-4.
Frances Tiafoe is ranked No. 29 by the ATP and took on Taro Daniel, ranked No.101, in their first ever match-up, Wednesday afternoon. Set one started off with Daniel playing aggressively and closing on the net which earned him the first game. Tiafoe had two break points at 4-4, but could not convert. A late break and Tiafoe took the first set 7-5.
The second set started out with some back-and-forth rallies, but eventually, Tiafoe earned a break and took the lead. Tiafoe got the double break with three straight return winners on short Daniel serves. Daniel got one break back to make the second set 2-4, and then held for 3-4. But big serves clinched the second set and the match for the American at 6-4. Tiafoe moves on to the next round where he will face fellow American, Brandon Nakashima.
Nakashima defeats Millman 7-6(8), 6-4.
Both players started the first set off consistently. The first three service games were quick. In the fourth game John Millman faced pressure from Brandon Nakashima. Millman was able to serve his way out of the game with an ace. Each player had a break point but neither could convert. At 6-6, the set went to a tiebreaker. After eighteen grueling points, Nakashima was able to win 10-8 after forcing Millman to make a forehand error.
The first four games of set two went according to plan. Both competitors held their serve with relative ease. That all changed in game five. After starting out with a backhand error, Millman was behind right out of the gate. The Australian was able to fight back to deuce but could not serve his way out. The young American broke Millman after a forehand error. Millman was not able to break Nakashima back. Nakashima would go on to win the match with a terrific cross court forehand.
Also on the grounds today:
A kid's art contest, judged by Reilly Opelka.
The art contest was full of excitement from the kids, a lot of “wows” and “cools,” and “how tall are you?” Reilly Opelka was all smiles for them complimenting their artwork every second, and really enjoying his time with them. After the pictures, there was a flurry of questions from the children, the first being “Why are you so tall?” As if Opelka could answer sincerely. Then the kids took turns guessing how old Opelka was, and their answers were very off. The youngest of the bunch thought he was 47, then 35, and when hearing Opelka was 24 he was speechless. Eventually, the questions became more tennis-related, and Opelka was asked which tennis player besides himself was his favorite and he listed Tommy Paul, and John Isner as some of his favorites to watch. The competition became an art show after Opelka told everyone that they were all winners, and he signed several tennis rackets, tennis balls, and tennis bags at the request of the kids.
Our two college players that were winners on Tuesday are back in action on Thursday- Andres Martin and Ben Shelton.
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About the Atlanta Open
The Atlanta Open is held each year in July in Atlantic Station and is one of the summer tournaments in the US Open Series. The tournament features men’s top world tennis players in singles and doubles competition. Approximately 40,000 fans attend the tournament and bring an estimated economic impact of $10.3 million to Atlanta. John Isner won the 2021 title along with the 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014 and 2013 titles. Andy Roddick won his last ATP World Tour title when he defeated Gilles Muller at the 2012 BB&T Atlanta Open. Mardy Fish holds the title for 2011 and 2010. The tournament website is www.atlantaopentennis.com.
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