Ginepri, Young Set for Atlanta Qualifying

Written by: Staff on 19th July 2013

Ginepri, Young Set for Atlanta Qualifying

epa03412162 Donald Young of the USA returns the ball to Fernando Verdasco of Spain during their second round match at the ATP PTT Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, 27 September 2012. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT |

ATLANTA, July 19 2013 – Two long-time standout Atlanta area pros headline the BB&T Atlanta Open qualifying set to start Saturday at Atlantic Station.

Tournament Director Bob Bryant announced today Robby Ginepri, of Marietta, and Donald Young, of Atlanta, will be seeded seventh and eighth respectively in the ATP World Tour qualifying event that begins with three days of qualifying. The tournament, which is the first men’s contest in the Emirates Airline US Open Series, runs July 20-28.

Young hit a career high of No. 38 in the world last year, following 2011 victories over Andy Murray and Gael Monfils and reached the finals in Bangkok. In 2005, he became youngest year-end world No. 1 in junior rankings at 16 years, 5 months and won the Australian Open junior title at age 15 to become youngest-ever and first African-American male junior to be ranked No. 1 in the world.

Ginepri was ranked No. 15 in the world in 2005 and reached the US Open semifinals. He also won Indianapolis (the precursor to this tournament) and advanced to the Cincinnati semifinals. He also owns two other ATP championships. Ginepri, 31, has battled injuries in the last three years since being ranked No. 69 in 2010.

Australian Matthew Ebden won the 2012 doubles title here with Ryan Harrison. His highest singles ranking was No. 63 early last year.

Two young Americans will be receiving wild cards into the main draw event this year.

Twenty-year-old Denis Kudla, of Virginia, will try to continue his successful 2013 campaign. In March, Kudla won seven consecutive matches to reach the finals of the Dallas Challenger. The following month, Kudla won the Tallahassee Challenger that included a three-set victory over fellow BB&T Atlanta Open competitor Harrison. Kudla also had an impressive showing on the grass courts at the Queen’s Club, making it to the quarterfinals.

Christian Harrison, 19, will be joining his older brother this year, his first ever main draw on the ATP World Tour. The Harrison brothers will also team up to compete in doubles. The wild card opened up when Brian Baker decided not to compete as he is still recovering from a six-month-old knee injury. However, Baker will be on site for practice sessions.

“We are looking forward to seeing the high level that these young Americans offer this year,” Bryant said. “These players will be joining a very competitive field and we believe that these players will enjoy this great opportunity to compete a great veteran field against the likes of John Isner and Mardy Fish.”

Qualifying Singles: Click here

Order of Play: Click here