Americans are looking to make it six consecutive years lifting up the winner’s trophy at the BB&T Atlanta Open. The tournament which will be six years old this year will have its two-time defending champion John Isner back for a shot at a third straight crown. In 2013, the American defeated Kevin Anderson in the tallest ATP final ever against the South African. Last year, he defeated Israeli Dudi Sela, who will also be in the field.
Just like Gstaad, Atlanta is an ATP 250 event so the field won’t be too stacked but the names who have put their name forward showed their ambition to succeed on the North American hard courts. The field is headlined by Jack Sock, Vasek Pospisil, Kevin Anderson, and Janko Tipsarevic.
The American comeback kids
Mardy Fish, two-time champion (2010 and 2011), will be making his comeback to the game of tennis after a long hiatus due to a combination of heart problems and anxiety issues over the past few years. He did play in Indian Wells this spring using a protected ranking but this will be his first true comeback.
The 2012 champion, Andy Roddick, will also be making his comeback to tennis by coming out of retirement to play doubles with good friend Mardy Fish. The 2003 US Open champion will also be playing in an exhibition match against American youngster Francis Tiafoe.
Other key members of the field and the local boys
A few other notable names sparkle the field like Alexandr Dolgopolov, Hyeon Chung, and Adrian Mannarino. Chung is one of three teenagers in the draw along with Tiafoe and Christopher Eubanks.
Hometown favorite Donald Young will be in the field for the sixth consecutive year while Eubanks, a freshman from Georgia Tech, has earned the collegiate main draw wildcard giving them the Atlanta fans another familiar local name.
Despite the plethora of American in this draw, don’t be surprised to see an international player win this year. The field of foreigners this year is more talented and deeper than it has been in the past. Look for Kevin Anderson and Vasek Pospisil to be making some noise around finals weekend in Atlanta to try and ruin the American party.