ATLANTA, July 22, 2019 (Press Release)
Perfect summer weather on Sunday at the 2019 BB&T Atlanta Open presented by First Data.
That meant the qualifying draw would wrap up and main draw action would begin as expected on Monday.
First on court, Atlantan, Donald Young. The second round qualifying match against Jason Jung lasted two sets and ended with a thrilling tie breaker. Jung kicked off the match serving a strong first game, and broke to race to a 3-0 lead. Young was able to hold serve in the fourth game and bring the score to 1-3, Jung continued his hot play and won the next three games, giving him the first set.
The second set was a thriller, with Young winning the first three games and breaking Jung’s serve with ease. This new-found momentum was a combination of heightened intensity from Young as well as excellent shot placement, which proved to be a challenge for Jung for the rest of the match. Though Jung was able to serve and win the fourth game, making the score 3-1, Young pulled further ahead thanks to his serve and led 4-1. Just when it seemed that this set was going to be a repeat of the first, Jung found form. He won the next three games, pulling even at 4-4. and broke The two held serve to reach 6-6, and the tiebreaker was then taken by Jung to take the match and qualify for the main draw.
Georgia Tech product, Kevin King, fared better than Young as he forced Ryan Harrison to retire in the third set with King leading 3-1.
Local Atlanta wildcard, Trent Bryde, didn’t fare as well as he fell in straight sets to top-seeded, Kamil Majchrzak of Poland. Bryde won the local Wildcard Playoffs to earn his spot in the qualifying draw.
Venus to face Key in exhibition match
The “Sunday Showdown” featuring Venus Williams and Madison Keys was a sold out success. A packed Stadium Court saw Venus defeat Madison 6-3 7-6(6)
Venus Williams
After the close first set, Keys got an early lead in the second, and kept the lead until Williams broke to force a tiebreaker for the set. Both players kept their foot on the gas and were staying aggressive while trying different shots. Williams finally took the second set in the tiebreak 8-6 after being down the entire second set. A capacity crowd showed their appreciation and approval.
Tournament Director, Eddie Gonzalez loves to call the BB&T Atlanta Open a “Mini U.S. Open” and that again is evident in 2019, when Venus WIlliams, winner of seven Grand Slam singles titles takes on former US Open finalist, Madison Keys in a special ‘Sunday Showdown” on July 21. That is the first evening session. Qualifying matches will be played during the day on Saturday and Sunday.
The BB&T Atlanta Open has welcomed more than 360,000 fans to Atlantic Station over the years, establishing itself as one of the top ATP tennis events in the US. Tickets for the 2019 BB&T Atlanta Open can be purchased on the tournament’s official website.
RESULTS – JULY 21, 2019
Mens
Qualifying Singles – Second Round
Qualifying – [1] K. Majchrzak (POL) d [7] T. Paul (USA) 76(5) 64
Qualifying – [3] S. Kwon (KOR) d [5] P. Gojowczyk (GER) 62 62
Qualifying – [6] J. Jung (TPE) d [Alt] D. Young (USA) 61 76(4)
Qualifying – [WC] K. King (USA) d [8] R. Harrison (USA) 67(6) 75 31 Retired
First Round
Qualifying – [1] K. Majchrzak (POL) d [WC] T. Bryde (USA) 64 62
Qualifying – [3] S. Kwon (KOR) d I. Ivashka (BLR) 62 63
Qualifying – [5] P. Gojowczyk (GER) d [Alt] M. Torpegaard (DEN) 64 36 76(2)
Qualifying – [7] T. Paul (USA) d M. Mmoh (USA) 57 76(3) 76(3)
Qualifying – [8] R. Harrison (USA) d [Alt] V. Troicki (SRB) 46 75 76(5)
