Denis Kudla defeated Ryan Harrison 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the first round of the BB&T Atlanta Open in a match featuring two players whose careers seem to be going in different directions.
“Conditions weren’t easy, it was so hot out there,” Kudla said. “To go 7-6 in the third is never fun. At the end of the day it was about who could survive out there a little longer.”
Harrison was once considered the next big thing in U.S. tennis, but at 23 years old his career mostly consists of Challenger Tour events, with a win in Australia earlier this year. He was a wildcard entry in Atlanta, his fifth appearance in the tournament. He reached the semifinals in 2011 and 2013, but has yet to win a title on the World Tour.
Kudla, 22 years old, worked his way into the main draw of the BB&T Atlanta Open as a qualifier and will face third-seeded Jack Sock in the second round.
Tuesday’s win was another in a strong year for Kudla. He became the first American since 2012 to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon this year. He lost in the first round of the Australian Open and fell in qualifying for the French Open. Harrison failed to qualify for the Australian Open or Wimbledon.
Kudla started the year No. 123 in the ATP World rankings and is now No. 94. Harrison started No. 193 and is now No. 128.
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