Twice Mardy Fish has competed in the Atlanta Tennis Championships. Twice he has made it to the finals. Twice he has battled rising star John Isner in the atc finals

Twice Mardy Fish has competed in the Atlanta Tennis Championships. Twice he has made it to the finals. Twice he has battled rising star John Isner in the ATC finals. And twice Fish has come away with the title, the crystal vase and the purse. There’s no second guessing if the Atlanta tennis scene has been kind.

The city was the same, the conditions weren’t. Last year’s ATC was without a doubt one of the warmest on record with on-court temperatures over 120 degrees. When asked how the temperatures this year compared to those of last year Fish simply responded, “Not even close.” “I remember last year basically trying not to cramp and trying to stand up longer than John,” he added.

Coming into the tournament as the top seeded player and top ranked American player, Fish was afforded the luxury of a bye for the first match. Other players receiving opening round byes included John Isner, Kevin Anderson, and Xavier Malisse. Match play in the opening round was spirited as former NCAA men’s singles champ Somdev Devvarman defeated Ryan Sweeting in three sets; rising young star Ryan Harrison bested Japan’s Yuichi Sugita in straight sets; half of 2010 Doubles Winner Rajeev Ram downed Grigor Dimitrov; James Blake needed a tie break in the second set to fight off elimination to Ernests Gulbis; Robby Ginepri needed extra matches before dispatching Tommy Haas; and Michael Young defeated local star Donald Young in straight sets.

Atlanta Tennis Championships Announce Main Draw Singles

The most intriguing first-round pairing in the Atlanta Tennis Championships main draw features two veterans of the ATP World Tour, Tommy Haas and Robby Ginepri, both former top 15 players. Haas reached No. 2 and Ginepri reached No. 15 respectively in their careers.

Another first round match-up with firework potential showcases American Ryan Sweeting against two-time NCAA Champion and eighth seed Somdev Devvarman of India.

Another one to watch is veteran American and former top-5 player James Blake taking on the 22-year-old from Latvia, Ernests Gulbis. Gulbis, who turned pro when he was just 15 years old, has just one ATP World Tour title compared to Blake’s 10, but that one title for Gulbis came just last year in Delray Beach.

In today’s qualifying matches, Athens Olympic gold medal winner Nicholas Massu fought back to win after dropping the first set to local favorite and Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Kevin King, of Peachtree City. However, Georgia Bulldog Wil Spencer split sets with the qualifying draw eighth seed Nick Lindahl before the Aussie retired before the start of the third set.

Two Atlanta residents prevailed in the qualifying with Austin Smith downing Nathaniel Schnugg 6-3, 7-5. Gabriel Townes moved into the second round with a straight-set victory over Eric Graves 7-5, 6-1.

Subject: ATLANTA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - Atlanta, USA

ATLANTA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - ATLANTA, USA

RESULTS - JULY 16, 2011

Mens
Qualifying Singles - First Round
Qualifying - D Kudla (USA) d C Fleming (GBR) 75 32 Retired
Qualifying - [WC] W Spencer (USA) d N Lindahl (AUS) 67(4) 63 00 Retired
Qualifying - [WC] M Styslinger (USA) d J Anton (USA) 62 62
Qualifying - A Smith (USA) d N Schnugg (USA) 63 75
Qualifying - D Kosakowski (USA) d K Lejnieks (LAT) 63 75
Qualifying - N Massu (CHI) d [WC] K King (USA) 36 76(5) 64
Qualifying - H Lewis (BAR) d [WC] D Bernstein (USA) 61 64
Qualifying - O Sajous (HAI) d A Krywacz (BRA) 61 62
Qualifying - [WC] G Townes (USA) d E Graves (USA) 75 61
Qualifying - P Simmonds (USA) d [WC] G Gomez-Diaz (ESP) 64 64

ORDER OF PLAY - SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2011

COURT 1 start 11:00 am

COURT 2 start 11:00 am

Monday kicks off the main draw at the Atlanta Tennis Championships.

While the final qualifying matches begin at 1:00 p.m., a unique media photo opportunity starts at the same time. From 1:00-1:30 p.m. American and 6'9" John Isner will try to utilize his height to take former NBA/Atlanta Hawks player Tom Gugliotta as they shoot hoops in a game of pop-a-shot. They will then turn the tables and Gugliotta will play Isner in tennis.

Immediately following that event, Isner will hold his pre-tournament press conference in the media room at 1:45 p.m. World No. 9 and No. 1 seed Mardy Fish will also hold a press conference 3:20 p.m.

The main draw matches start on Stadium Court at 4:00 p.m. and Atlanta resident Donald Young will battle fellow countrymen and veteran Michael Russell in the first match. In addition, on Court 1, Alex Bogomolov, Jr. will take on Gilles Muller.

They will be followed by Opening Ceremonies (not before 6:00 p.m.) with a special exhibition match featuring our host, actor and Atlanta resident Boris Kodjoe. Playing will be the talented Parks sisters – Alycia, 10, and Mikayla, 11 – originally from Atlanta .

The feature match of the evening will be between American and former top five star James Blake against Ernests Gulbis, and Ryan Sweeting of the USA will face former two-time NCAA champion Somdev Devvarman on Court 1, not before 7:00 p.m.

 

ATLANTA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - ATLANTA, USA
$ 531,000.00
JULY 16 - JULY 24, 2011

RESULTS - JULY 17, 2011

Mens
Qualifying Singles - Second Round
Qualifying - M Matosevic (AUS) d [WC] M Styslinger (USA) 75 60
Qualifying - M Ebden (AUS) d D Kosakowski (USA) 61 62
Qualifying - Y Sugita (JPN) d H Lewis (BAR) 61 64
Qualifying - T Smyczek (USA) d [WC] G Townes (USA) 64 62
Qualifying - P Simmonds (USA) d G Jones (AUS) 63 76(2)
Qualifying - R Ram (USA) d N Massu (CHI) 63 76(5)
Qualifying - D Kudla (USA) d A Smith (USA) 64 64
Qualifying - O Sajous (HAI) d [WC] W Spencer (USA) 64 75

ORDER OF PLAY - MONDAY, JULY 18, 2011
STADIUM COURT start 1:00 pm
Qualifying - M Ebden (AUS) vs R Ram (USA)

Not Before 4:00 PM
[WC] D Young (USA) vs M Russell (USA)

Not Before 7:00 PM
J Blake (USA) vs E Gulbis (LAT)
N Mahut (FRA) / G Muller (LUX) vs R Berankis (LTU) / X Malisse (BEL)

COURT 1 start 1:00 pm
Qualifying - T Smyczek (USA) vs P Simmonds (USA)

Not Before 4:00 PM
[7] A Bogomolov Jr. (USA) vs G Muller (LUX)
R Sweeting (USA) vs [8] S Devvarman (IND)

COURT 2 start 1:00 pm
Qualifying - Y Sugita (JPN) vs O Sajous (HAI)
Qualifying - M Matosevic (AUS) vs D Kudla (USA)

Not Before 5:00 PM
M Berrer (GER) vs T Ito (JPN)

Blake, Devvarman Win Thrilling Matches

The featured match of the evening matched up former world No. 4 American James Blake against the 22-year-old Latvian Ernests Gulbis. After dropping the first set, the veteran from the USA was down 4-0 in the second-set tiebreak, but reeled off the next seven out of eight points to force the third set. With Blake up a break, rain forced an hour-and-18-minute rain delay. After the players retook the court Blake won the next three games to take the match 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-2. During the match, he saved 17 of 20 break points, including all nine in the third set.

The biggest battle of the day came on court one, with American Ryan Sweeting facing off against eighth-seeded Indian Somdev Devvarman. The two stars split the first two sets to force a third that was full of momentum swings. Devvarman served for the match at 5-3 and was up 40-0, but the heavy-hitting American fought back to break. However, the crafty two-time NCAA champion Devvarman broke back in very next game to take the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in two hours and 23 minutes.

Ron Cioffi

Former top-15 player and local hero Robby Ginepri made a triumphant return to the ATP World Tour as he defeated Tommy Haas 6-4, 7-5 in the first round. After suffering a severe elbow injury when he avoided hitting a squirrel while mountain biking last fall,

Ginepri’s game looked to be in good shape as he hit nine aces against the German and former World No. 2. This win for Ginepri puts him into a match against the 6’4” lefty from Luxembourg Gilles Muller.

Hass is also coming back from an injury and is competing in only his fifth tournament of the year.

Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt won 89 percent of his first serve points to dismiss American qualifier Phillip Simmonds 6-4, 6-4. Hewitt was down a break early in the first set but won it back quickly and only faced one more break point the entire match.

Two seeds fell to qualifiers. Rajeev Ram took out fifth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria . Marinko Matosevic toppled Igor Kunitsyn 6-7(3), 6-2, 7-5.

Ron Cioffi

Today’s featured match showcased two of the top American players on the ATP World Tour with the third seed John Isner facing-off against friend and doubles partner James Blake.

The two players are incredibly close friends and in a press conference earlier in the week, Isner told reporters that he and Blake actually live about a half a mile away from each other, and he drives his golf cart to Blake’s house to practice multiple times a week. There are no secrets on the court between the two. Both players know their opponents games, and the match would be determined by which player was able to execute the best on that particular day. However, Isner was able to benefit from the packed Stadium Court of Georgia faithful cheering him on and giving him the edge to come through in the end. Today, Isner was able to get the upper hand, but the two will return on court together as doubles partners tomorrow night.

Both players served big and used their powerful attacking games to dictate points. The match was decided by which player had the higher consistency and could come up with a big shot on the pressure points. In the end, despite Blake’s best efforts, Isner was able to triumph over his friend and doubles partner  7-6(8), 6-7(3), 7-5.

Following the featured singles match was a doubles matchup highlighting Georgia’s Drake Bernstein and Georgia Tech’s Kevin King that proved to be the tournament’s most surprising upset. They faced last year’s doubles champions and top seed in the 2011 Atlanta Tennis Championships, Rajeev Ram and Scott Lipsky. The college duo from rival universities paired together for the first time, playing in front of the two university’s fan bases created a vibrant environment. In an unusual situation, the two sides were both cheering for the same team. King and Bernstein made the most of their wild card, playing almost perfect doubles en route to the biggest upset of the tournament, knocking out the defending champions 7-6(3), 6-3.

Ron Cioffi

 

ATLANTA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - ATLANTA, USA

Today’s action at the Atlanta Tennis Championships sets up what looks to be a big weekend of tennis. The quarterfinals were set, and the semifinals will be determined tomorrow.

With his win over the No. 40 Malisse, Harrison is into his second career ATP World Tour quarterfinal. This year he has five wins over top 50-ranked opponents, and it shows in his confidence.

“Ever since the (2010) US Open, I have more belief in myself. A light bulb went off for me knowing that I can beat these guys. Even against Ferrer, Soderling and Roger (Federer), I had chances. I know I could play with those guys,” he said.

Defending champion Mardy Fish also punched his quarterfinal ticket yesterday with a win over Frenchman Nicholas Mahut 6-3, 6-3. Fish cruised to a relatively easy win, but all matches have their moments of tension. Fish dropped a break in the second set, but like a veteran he battled to get it right back.

Ron Cioffi

 

ATLANTA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - ATLANTA, USA

The final four are set at the 2011 Atlanta Tennis Championships and Americans are making a statement at the Racquet Club of the South. Three of the four semifinalists are from the USA. Todays’s matches feature 6’9” American John Isner against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, and defending champion and World No. 9 Mardy Fish against 19-year-old Ryan Harrison. This is the first time all year that three Americans have reached the semifinals of an ATP World Tour event.

The night match is an All-American affair featuring No. 1 seed Mardy Fish against the up-and-coming Harrison.

Last night Harrison fought off a match point at 5-6, 30-40, against Rajeev Ram, and then pulled off the victory in a third set tiebreak. With his win Friday, Harrison will crack the top 100 of the ATP World Tour rankings for the first time in his young career when the rankings are released on Monday. He will be one of only two teenagers in that elite field.

Both matches will be televised tomorrow, with Isner vs. Muller at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN2, and Fish vs. Harrison at 7:00 p.m. on Tennis Channel.

 

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Atlanta Tennis Championships Will Feature Pianist Phil Thompson

 

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED POP PIANIST PHIL THOMPSON WILL BE DOING DAILY PERFORMANCES

COMMENTATORS CLIFF DRYSDALE, DARREN CAHILL AND BRAD GILBERT REPORTING FOR ESPN; BRETT HABER, JUSTIN GIMELSTOB, AND ASHLEY FISHER FOR TENNIS CHANNEL

 

ATLANTA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS - ATLANTA, USA

John Isner, the four-time NCAA All-American, was the first to earn a trip back to the finals of the Atlanta Tennis Championships. In his semifinal match, he faced Luxembourg ’s Gilles Muller who has played some of the best tennis of his career this week. To reach the semifinals, Muller recorded two major upsets, taking out the No. 7 seed Alex Bogomolov Jr. in the first round and the No. 2 seed, Kevin Anderson 7-6(3), 7-6(3) to reach the semifinal.

In the first two sets, Isner and Muller held serve easily. The 6’9” American was able to secure one break in the first set at 5-5, to serve out the set 7-5. The second set had no breaks of serves but saw Muller play an impressive tiebreak to force a third set.

After taking a break in order to change into completely new set of clothes, a refreshed Isner dominated the decisive set. Isner was able to break Muller in the second game in order to go up to a quick 2-0 lead and this seemed to be the final momentum swing of the match. Isner raced out to a dominant 5-1 lead, before serving out the match and closing the door on Muller’s aspirations of reaching his first ATP World Tour final since 2005.

Isner has now won eight consecutive matches including his first ATP Title of the season at the Campbell ’s Hall of Fame Tournament in Newport . In his post-match interview, Isner reflected on his current win streak. “I’ve been waiting to have this feeling for the entire first half of the season,” he said. He now feels that he has his confidence back to support his powerful game and knows that he can compete with any player on tour.

In tomorrow’s rematch of the 2010 final, Isner faces his good friend, Mardy Fish who continued his dominance here in Atlanta with a win over Ryan Harrison. Harrison, the 19-year-old American, had a remarkable run to his maiden ATP World Tour semifinal, highlighted by his thrilling quarterfinal victory over Rajeev Ram in a tight third-set tiebreak. But Fish, the top ranked American, proved too much for Harrison , winning 6-2, 6-4.

Mardy Fish made it back-to-back titles at the Atlanta Tennis Championships by defeating fellow American and friend John Isner. The two met in last year’s final with a similar result: Fish winning in three sets.

Just as it happened last year, Isner jumped out to an early lead. He won the first set 6-3 and was up an early break in the second set. Fish fought his way back into the set and forced a tiebreak, but it still seemed that the momentum on Isner’s side, and the Georgia faithful were cheering on their former four-time All-American. Fish went down 5-1 in the tiebreak, and was forced to save two championship points before coming back to win the tiebreak 9-7. He credited his ability to win points on his serve, but admitted that he was fortunate to escape the tiebreak and move on to the final set.

After splitting the first two sets, both players took a break to change and quickly recollect themselves before starting the final set of the tournament. Fish had a lot more confidence and was connecting on his shots. He had started to read Isner’s serve better and began taking control of the set. Fish was able to go up an early break and staved off two break points at 2-3 to lock control of the match. Fish went on to win 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-2.

In doubles, American Alex Bogomolov Jr.  and Australian Matthew Ebden defeated the German duo of  Matthias Bachinger and Frank Moser 3-6, 7-5 [10-8].