John Isner and Bryan Brothers headline 2019 Atlanta field
When the ATP tournament in Indianapolis lost the license in 2009, the event switched to Atlanta, Georgia and it stayed there ever since, with nine editions so far. Home players were the dominant force right from the start, occupying 13 out of 18 places in the final and winning seven out of eight titles, with one name standing out as the most prominent figure of the BB&T Atlanta Open. Even before the start of the ATP event, John Isner had been the most cherished player in Atlanta, competing for the Georgia Bulldogs between 2003-2006 and winning more than 280 matches in singles and doubles.
The connections between Atlanta and Isner became even tighter when the ATP Tour came to this city and John was there to compete in every edition so far, reaching the final eight times and conquering five out of the last six editions, losing to Nick Kyrgios in the title match in 2016. John is only the fifth American player who has managed to win the same ATP tournament at least five times after Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, signing to play the BB&T Atlanta Open this July as the first confirmed singles player. The world no. 9 will kick off the action on July 24 in the evening session, seeking the 32nd win in Atlanta and the best possible start of the tenth campaign in his favorite town.
After that 7-6, 7-6 loss to Kyrgios in 2016, John has won the next eight encounters in Atlanta, overcoming Ryan Harrison in the title matches in 2017 and 2018 to increase the number of trophies won and stand on a stellar 31-4 score. 2015 and 2017 winners Bob and Mike Bryan will headline the doubles draw, winning all eight matches in Atlanta so far and seeking the third crown in front of the home fans. Bob and Mike started to play together again this season after Bob had to miss the second part of 2018 due to right hip problems that required surgery on August 2.
The most successful doubles pair in tennis history claimed the title in Delray Beach after the quarter-final run at the Australian Open, looking to build the form and confidence in the following months and be at their best during the North American swing in July and August.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2FrfGXL
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