Trent Bryde is becoming a veteran when it comes to playing in his hometown ATP World Tour event. Bryde defeated fellow Bulldog, Emil Reinberg, 6-3 6-3, to win a spot in the 2019 BB&T Atlanta Open presented by First Data singles qualifying draw (his third appearance in the Atlanta event).
Bryde drew first blood as he broke Reinberg’s first serving game of the match to take the 2-0 lead. From then on, the two teammates traded breaks, but it was Bryde who held his serve first to get a 4-1 lead in the first. Reinberg held his serve comfortably and received an opportunity to climb back the scoreboard with Bryde serving at 4-2. On breakpoint, Bryde hit a forehand a bit wide and Reinberg got back on serve at 3-4. Bryde showed mental toughness and fought off two game points to break Reinberg and grab a 5-3 lead. The 19-year-old Bryde seized his first opportunity with an ace at 40-love and took the first set 6-3.
The second set saw a number of hard-fought long games. Both players had chances in the third game to either break or hold. Bryde was a bit more aggressive on second serve returns, taking the ball on the rise and coming to the net, taking time away from his opponent. This strategy paid dividends as Bryde broke his opponent and took the 2-1 lead. Reinberg fought back by hitting some big returns on both sides to give himself a triple breakpoint. At 4-3, Bryde had to fight off two break points to hold onto his lead and go up 5-3. He needed two match points to seal the match in straight sets, 6-3 6-3, as Reinberg missed a volley into the net on the last point of the match.
-Desmond McLennon
Photo: Bill Kallenberg