Atlanta’s ATP World Tour 250 event starts Saturday, July 25, at Atlantic Station.
2015 French Open Boys’ champion Tommy Paul and this year’s Wild Card Challenge winner Trent Bryde have accepted two wild card spots into the BB&T Atlanta Open qualifying tournament. Paul, the No. 5-ranked American junior, and Suwanee, Georgia’s Bryde will make their first ATP World Tour event appearances Saturday, July 25, at Atlantic Station.
Bryde, who was named to the Team USA National junior team, had to win five matches before squaring off against three-time NAIA All-American Kyle Montrel of Xavier University of Louisiana in the BB&T Wild Card Challenge final. After fighting off an early break in the first set, the 15-year-old was able to steady his game and down Montrel in a straight-set victory 6-3, 6-4 today. Bryde is five years younger than Montrel, of Atlanta. Bryde also defeated Georgia Tech’s rising sophomore Michael Kay in the semifinals.
Paul, a native of New Jersey, became just the sixth American boy to win the junior title in Paris, defeating fellow American Taylor Harry Fritz, 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3 in first all-American boys’ final in 68 years. En route to his triumph at Roland Garros, the 18-year-old captured two ITF Futures titles in Italy and Spain.
“I am thrilled to extend a wild card to Tommy Paul. He has been a phenomenal sensation on the junior circuit so far this season,” Eddie Gonzalez, BB&T Atlanta Open Tournament Director Chief Development Officer, said. “We are so proud to bring another rising star to the Atlanta tournament during such an outstanding year for American talent.”
Bryde addressed the crowd at the Wild Card Challenge final, saying, “I just want to thank everyone at the BB&T Atlanta Open for this opportunity. It was a hard fought match and I am very thankful to make it through and be able to play on Saturday.”
Also announced this week, Georgia Tech’s Christopher Eubanks will team up with fellow Atlanta native Donald Young for a wild card into the main doubles draw. Other players who have also joined the doubles draw include: 2014 finalist Steve Johnson, 2013 finalist Colin Fleming, Eric Butorac, Sam Groth, and Marcos Baghdatis.
The tournament, which is the first event in the Emirates Airline US Open Series, has also announced the Bryan brothers, arguably the greatest men’s doubles team in tennis history, have committed to play. Two-time defending champion John Isner and 2013 finalist Kevin Anderson have also been announced. Past singles titlists Andy Roddick (2012) and Mardy Fish (2010-11) will also play doubles together.
Visit www.bbtatlantaopen.com to purchase tickets and see more details.
Former NCAA champ, Steve Johnson will be playing in the 2015 BB&T Atlanta Open
