TENNIS FROM ATLANTA • GREAT FRIENDS DONALD YOUNG AND CHRIS EUBANKS TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AT HOMETOWN BB&T

Written by: Staff on 26th July 2017

TENNIS FROM ATLANTA • GREAT FRIENDS DONALD YOUNG AND CHRIS EUBANKS TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AT HOMETOWN BB&T

epa06109490 Donald Young of the US in action against Tim Smyczek of the US during a first round match at the BB&T Atlanta Open tennis tournament at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 25 July 2017. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

By Ricky Dimon

Atlanta is a perfect two for two with its hometown hopefuls after one round of the BB&T Atlanta Open.

As expected, Donald Young made his way into the second round on Tuesday afternoon. He was joined there by a fellow Atlantan – Christopher Eubanks. After Young rolled over fellow American Tim Smyczek 6-4, 6-2, Eubanks pulled off an upset of fellow wild card Taylor Fritz 7-6(5), 6-4.

Young had previously struggled at an event that is played just a few blocks away from his residence, but he began to show signs of handling the extra pressure when he reached the quarters last summer. With that performance still fresh in his rearview mirror and having played the best tennis of his adult life in 2017, it was no surprise that Young picked up another victory in Atlanta against a struggling Smyczek. The world No. 51, who has won 19 ATP-level matches this season, held all 10 of his service games and saved three of four break points to get the job done in one hour and nine minutes.

“It’s been tough (in Atlanta) because you get pulled a lot of different ways,” Young said. “There are people who don’t normally get to see you play. They’re there and they’re expecting a lot. Last year and this year have kind of been more like a real tournament; I’m staying in the hotel (as opposed to at my own place.)

“I’m competing a lot better (this season).”

Eubanks is Georgia Tech’s No. 1 singles player, with some experience on the Challenger circuit and almost none at the ATP level. The world No. 461 lost a close first-rounder to Reilly Opelka last summer but got over the hump for his first main-tour match win on Tuesday. Eubanks fought off the only break point he faced midway through the second set and prevailed in one hour and 21 minutes.

Christopher Eubanks of the US in action against Taylor Fritz of the US during their first round match at the BB&T Atlanta Open tennis tournament at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 25 July 2017. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

“Being able to play in the tournament in my hometown is already difficult to put into words, but to be able to come out and win in front of the crowd it’s beyond comprehension,” Eubanks said.

This is his fifth appearance at the BB&T Atlanta Open and third in the main draw after he qualified last summer before succumbing to Opelka 7-6(9), 7-6(5). In another big-hitting showdown against Fritz, Eubanks came out on top this time around thanks in part to striking 11 aces and winning 79 percent of his first-serve points.

“I like to impose my will no matter who I’m playing so that was the game plan going in–to play my game style and hopefully make the other guy react,” the 21-year-old commented. “I think I did a really good job of that…. I think I need to a better job returning (in the next match).”

For the first time in Eubanks’ career, there will be a “next match” in the main draw of an ATP tournament. And his next one will come against another young American in 20-year-old Jared Donaldson. Playing the best tennis of his life, Donaldson is up to No. 59 in the world following a third-round performance at Wimbledon.

But Eubanks won’t be lacking confidence in either his own abilities or in the outcome of the match.

“You always say that you expect to win no matter who you step on the court against, but I kind of take a different approach,” he explained. “I try to expect to play as well as I can play and be able to live with that result, so if I play well and it still goes the other way I have nothing to hang my head about it,” he said. “It also shows me what I need to improve if I play well and I don’t win.”