FIRST ATP TITLE ELUDES DONALD YOUNG JR. BUT IN-FORM AMERICAN IS TRENDING IN RIGHT DIRECTION

Written by: Staff on 22nd February 2015

FIRST ATP TITLE ELUDES DONALD YOUNG JR. BUT IN-FORM AMERICAN IS TRENDING IN RIGHT DIRECTION

epa04620344 Donald Young of the US hits a return shot to Kevin Anderson of South Africa in their semi-final round Memphis Open tennis match at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, 14 February 2015. EPA/TANNEN MAURY |

First ATP title eludes Young, but in-form American is trending in right direction

By Ricky Dimon

Donald Young’s first title will have to wait. The huge serving of Ivo Karlovic was too much for Young in Sunday’s final at the Delray Beach Open, where Karlovic finished off a week in which he did not get broken a single time by saving all seven of the break points he faced to win 6-3, 6-3.

Karlovic fought off an incredible 19 break points throughout the tournament. Like many opponents before him, Young garnered plenty of chances but the 6’11” Croat’s serve was simply too good in pressure moments.

“@ivokarlovic @delraybeachopen #champion #trophy #2015 #delraybeachopen #dbo2015 #croatia @atpworldtour #atp250 #ivokarlovic #instatennis #photo #tennis” – Photo by @mauriciopaiz via Instagram.

“He kind of tosses in the same spot and can hit all the spots on the court,” Young explained. “You look and see some tendencies. I was able to pick quite a few, but just not when it actually mattered. He played well. He beat me. I didn’t play the best I wanted to play, but all credit to him.”

Stellar play by opponents has been required in order to get the best of Young this season. Producing some of the best tennis of his career, the 25-year-old American will surge to No. 45 in the world on Monday. He finished 2014 ranked 57th.

With only 188 ranking points to defend between now and the French Open, Young has a real chance to eclipse his current career-high mark of No. 38.

The Atlanta native is now 0-2 lifetime in ATP finals, but the trend suggests his first title is coming soon. He reached the quarterfinals in Auckland, the semis in Memphis, and now the final in Delray Beach.

“Love #yimlife##delraybeachopen#fans#ontheroad” – Photo by @donaldyoungjr .

“It’s tough to get to the finals; it’s not something you do every day,” Young assured after upsetting Alexandr Dolgpolov on Saturday. “There have been other things that I felt were holding me back. It wasn’t just my game, it was about the consistency, the mental part and putting together back-to-back matches. I’m happy [I’ve been] able to do that lately.

“All you can do is put yourself in these positions and hopefully you can walk through the door.”

Don’t be surprised if Young breaks through the door sooner rather than later.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: Atp, Delray Beach Open, Donald Young, Ivo Karlovic, Ricky Dimon, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

February 22, 2015 at 5:40 pm

FIRST #ATP TITLE ELUDES @DonaldYoungUSA BUT IN-FORM AMERICAN IS TRENDING IN RIGHT DIRECTION- http://t.co/iZ28lt3Vjk #DelrayBeachOpen #tennis
Axontechgroup says:

February 22, 2015 at 9:27 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: FIRST #ATP TITLE ELUDES @DonaldYoungUSA BUT IN-FORM AMERICAN IS TRENDING IN RIGHT DIRECTION- http://t.co/iZ28lt3Vjk #Delr…
Dimonator says:

February 23, 2015 at 12:09 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: FIRST #ATP TITLE ELUDES @DonaldYoungUSA BUT IN-FORM AMERICAN IS TRENDING IN RIGHT DIRECTION- http://t.co/iZ28lt3Vjk #Delr…