SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Adrianna Outlaw | Friday, August 5, 2016

 
Nick Kyrgios

A pair of towering Americans—6-foot-11 wild card Reilly Opelka and 6-foot-10 John Isner—both scored straight-sets wins to set up a big Atlanta semifinal.

Photo credit: Getty

Reilly Opelka continues to measure up in Atlanta.

In an all-American clash, the 6-foor-11 wild card defeated Atlanta resident Donald Young, 6-4, 6-4, to advance to his first career ATP semifinal at the BB&T Atlanta Open.

Dimitrov: Federer Is Tennis' Top Teacher

Opelka, who saved two match points in upsetting third-seeded Kevin Anderson, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 7-5, in the prior round, arrived in Atlanta seeking his first ATP victory.

Now, the 18-year-old Floridian is one win from his first ATP final.

Opelka, who ties Ivo Karlovic as the ATP's tallest player, faces a sizeable obstacle in 6-foot-10 John Isner.

Three-time Atlanta champion Isner denied 18-year-old compatriot Taylor Fritz, 7-5, 6-4.

“I’ve been doing a really good job with my movement, winning points on my opponent’s serve," Opelka told ATP World Tour.com. "The way I am serving now, I know I can at least get to a tie-break. But being able to hit good returns and passing shots is huge.”




Nick Kyrgios cracked 18 aces and did not drop serve outdueling Fernando Verdasco, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

It was Kyrgios' second win over the left-handed Spaniard in as many meetings. Kyrgios was a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victor over Verdasco at the 2015 Rogers Cup.

The second-seeded Australian will face another left-hander, Yoshihito Nishioka, in tomorrow's semifinals.

Nishioka permitted just six points on serve dispatching Horacio Zeballos, 6-4, 6-4, in today's first quarterfinal.

The 18th-ranked Kyrgios is playing for his first final since he defeated Marin Cilic to win his first ATP title in Marseille in February.


 

Latest News