Australian Alex de Minaur (20) is the 2019 singles champion at the BB&T Atlanta Open presented by First Data. This year’s BB&T Atlanta Open featured plenty of first-time situations to a very successful and established tournament at Atlantic Station.
In the finals, de Minaur defeated 2nd seeded American Taylor Fritz in straight-sets 6-3, 7-6(7-2). He claimed this victory and his second career title in convincing fashion. Throughout the tournament, his serve was not broken and he never faced a break point all week. The only players to achieve such an accomplishment since 1991 are Tommy Haas (Memphis 2007) and John Isner (Newport 2017).
The tournament created a new venue adjacent to the previous location. This decision by Tournament Director Eddie Gonzalez and his GF Holdings team proved to be extremely successful. Not only was there more space, but there were amazing spacious seats and shading for fans in the stadium. The tournament had a concert stage, delicious food (that included a waffle eating contest) and every night had a special theme. There was also a court designated for youth through the USTA Net Generation program that featured Atlanta’s top coaches working with youth during the tournament.
Over the last six years, two-time defending champion John Isner has been in the finals and won the title five times. However, this year Isner lost in the Round of 16 to fellow American Reilly Opelka in a thrilling 3rd set tiebreaker 7-6(7-2), 6-7(5-7), 7-6(7-5). This now set the opportunity for a new face to emerge as the champion for 2019 and that is exactly what Alex de Minaur did. Alex also added a first-time superstition by growing a mustache and a new hashtag #gottakeepthestache.
2019 BB&T Atlanta Open Presented by First Data
RESULTS – JULY 28, 2019
Men’s
Singles – Final
[3] A. de Minaur (AUS) d [2] T. Fritz (USA) 6-3, 7-6(7-2)
Men’s
Doubles – Final
[2] D. Inglot (GBR) / A. Krajicek (USA) d [1] B. Bryan (USA) / M. Bryan (USA) 6-4, 6-7(7-5), 11-9
-Desmond McLennon
Photos; Courtesy of BB&T Atlanta Open