ISNER, DONALD YOUNG JR. & OTHER AMERICANS HEAD TO WINSTON-SALEM FOR U.S. OPEN PREPARATION BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 17th August 2014

ISNER, DONALD YOUNG JR. & OTHER AMERICANS HEAD TO WINSTON-SALEM FOR U.S. OPEN PREPARATION BY RICKY DIMON

epa04072803 Donald Young of the US hits a return shot to Denis Kudla of the US in their second round match in the US National Indoor Tennis Championships at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, 12 February 2014. EPA/TANNEN MAURY |

The U.S. Open may be on the minds of players and fans like, but don’t forget about this week’s Winston-Salem Open. It gives the ATP World Tour stars a final opportunity for match practice heading into New York. Among those looking to take advantage are Americans John Isner, Steve Johnson, Donald Young, and Sam Querrey.

Isner, the No. 1 seed, is 10-1 lifetime at what is basically a hometown event for hm (he is from nearby Greensboro, N.C.). The world No. 14 bagged titles in 2011 and 2012 before withdrawing last year in the wake of a run to the Cincinnati title match.

Over the weekend, Isner paid a visit to Wake Forest University’s football practice. He threw passes to some of the Demon Deacons’ receivers, including Jared Crump.

“It’s such an honor [to play with Isner] just because he’s so well-known and such a big-time star,” Crum commented. “He represents USA very well on the tennis court. He is such a great person. I watch him on TV all the time, so it’s just great to meet him and catch passes from him and combine our sports together.”

Last Friday’s draw ceremony certainly did nothing to alter Isner’s status as title favorite. The next highest seed in the top half is Tommy Robredo, who could be somewhat fatigued and may not be craving many more matches after reaching the Cincinnati quarterfinals. Isner would be expected to handle everyone else in the top half—possibly even with ease.

The other side of the bracket is much deeper, featuring Johnson, Querrey, and Young. Johnson and Querrey, frequent doubles partners who just reached the Cincinnati semis together, could face each other in the second round. No. 2 seed Kevin Anderson, Atlanta semifinalist Benjamin Becker, Hamburg champion Leonardo Mayer, and Jerzy Janowicz—who upset Grigor Dimitrov in Cincinnati–are also in the bottom half.

With the U.S. Open beginning next Monday, Winston-Salem got off to a Sunday start and will conclude on Saturday. Ryan Harrison was among the first-day winners, as he took care of Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4, 6-2. Harrison will go up against Lukas Rosol in the last 32.

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

Topics: Atp, Donald Young, John Isner, Ricky Dimon, Steve Johnson, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open, Winston-Salem

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10sBalls_com says:

August 17, 2014 at 9:58 pm

@JohnIsner, DONALD YOUNG JR. & OTHER AMERICANS HEAD TO WINSTON-SALEM FOR @usopen PREPARATION BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/zRDE5MRE8k #atp
RD_Tennistalk says:

August 17, 2014 at 10:03 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: @JohnIsner, DONALD YOUNG JR. & OTHER AMERICANS HEAD TO WINSTON-SALEM FOR @usopen PREPARATION BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.…