While preparing for a quarterfinal match at the BB&T Atlanta Open, Ryan Harrison took some time out to enjoy some southern hospitality.
As he sat at a table in a Dillards department store, he was all smiles as he autographed tennis balls and chatted with fans. People lined up to get a quick photo and meet one of their favorite players.
On Friday, those same fans will line Stadium Court as Harrison faces Hyeon Chung in the men’s quarterfinals. It will be the Harrison’s third singles match as he attempts to make a return trip to the finals.
“This has always been a place where I have felt comfortable and it has a home feel for me,” Harrison said.
Last year, Harrison lost to John Isner in the finals of the Atlanta Open. The hard-fought battle left him looking to return to Atlanta in search of retribution. He worked all season to refine parts of his game on the ATP tour.
The training sessions focused on being assertive around the net. Harrison admitted that would be a key to win matches along with controlling the different speeds and spins of his serves.
“I have tried to be a little more aggressive in coming forward a little bit more and getting in the nets,” Harrison said. “I have tried to work on my returns and develop an aggressive second-serve return.”
The initial results have worked in his favor. In the first round, he defeated James Duckworth with a strong third set and then moved past Lukas Lacko in the round of 16. He also is still in doubles tournament with his partner Rajeev Ram.
“It’s always interesting in the first match as you get used to the conditions,” Harrison said. “The first match gives you a lot of confidence once you get through it.”
However, Friday’s match against third-ranked Chung won’t be easy.
The last time they faced each other was in 2015 at the Happy Valley Challenger tournament in Australia. Harrison won that battle in three sets, but knows this matchup will be a true test for him. Chung has advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Taylor Fritz in the round of 16. As a top-three seed, he got a bye in the first round.
“He is a great ball striker and a great mover,” Harrison said. “He hits the ball really clean and gets a lot of depth and pace. I feel like he will bring that out tomorrow and it will be a difference in style.”
Still, Harrison believes his success in Atlanta could play in his favor. He plans on going out and just sticking to his game plan.
“This is a place where I feel I play some of my best tennis and I am back in the quarterfinals again,” Harrison said. “I got a really tough opponent tomorrow, but I feel like this is a place where I can have a good result.”
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