Tennis Atlantic

2016 BB&T Atlanta Open Qualifying Preview and Predictions
Steen Kirby, Tennis Atlantic

A full field of 16 qualifying participants will contest the four main draw qualifying spots at the 2016 BB&T Atlanta Open starting on Saturday. Here is a preview with predictions as a week of tennis in Hotlanta kicks off.

First Section:

The nearly top 100 Brazilian Thiago Monteiro is just 22, and has had a career best year on clay this year, although he’s barely played on hard courts. Monteiro has had success at both the challenger and ATP level, and is the favorite to qualify past high schooler Trent Bryde, who won a qualifying match last year in Atlanta, and the winner of Tommy Paul/Chris Eubanks. Paul is nearly in the top 200, and faces the wild card winner Eubanks of Georgia Tech. Monteiro vs. Paul is an intriguing final round qualifying match that probably favors the Brazilian.

Second Section:

The formerly top 70 Tobias Kamke should be good enough to defeat a struggling Michael Mmoh, who has lost his last four matches, and either J.P. Smith or journeyman Andrew Carter. Smith is a capable player, although he’s endured a tough season, and Kamke has an all-court game.

Third Section:

Lloyd Glasspool has been in great form and comes off consecutive challenger quarterfinals, he could surprise and qualify if he can upset a struggling Austin Krajicek, and then get past James Duckworth or Juan Ignacio Londero. Duckworth is my pick to qualify here as he did in Washington though as he’s the strongest player in this section.

Fourth Section: 

Both Alex Sarkissian and Nicolas Meister could use a win in their opening round match that could go either way. Veteran German and former top 100 player Mischa Zverev opens with a struggling Matt Reid, and he’s my pick to qualify from this section given almost everyone is in poor form.

There is your look at the 2016 qualifying field for the BB&T Atlanta Open, stay tuned to Tennis Atlantic this week for more updates on the ATP action.