Memphis Open, TN, USA ATP 250

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DATE: 08 Feb 2016 - 14 Feb 2016
SURFACE: HARD
PRIZE MONEY: $618,030
FIELD SIZE: 28
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Kei Nishikori

Seeds:

1 K. Nishikori
2 S. Johnson
3 D. Young
4 S. Querrey
5 D. Kudla
6 S. Groth
7 J. Millman
8 D. Dzumhur

About Memphis:
Memphis, along the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, is known for its music and food. Blues, jazz and rock 'n' roll spill out from the clubs along Beale Street, and restaurants dish up barbecue and soul food. Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studio, and Presley’s Graceland mansion is a popular attraction.

Kei Nishikori has won three consecutive Memphis Open titles and will head the field in the pursuit for number four.

 

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If Kei stays fit and healthy, he's my pick to win title number four.

 

[Moxie]

Nice travelogue, BB! I was in Memphis for the first time a couple of years ago. Loved it. We did go to Sun Studios and Graceland. And the Civil Rights Museum, which includes the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, which was very poignant to see, especially for those of us who remember the images. And yes, the food and the music is awesome.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kei win again, or maybe one of the Americans.

 

[britbox]

Nice travelogue, BB! I was in Memphis for the first time a couple of years ago. Loved it. We did go to Sun Studios and Graceland. And the Civil Rights Museum, which includes the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, which was very poignant to see, especially for those of us who remember the images. And yes, the food and the music is awesome.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kei win again, or maybe one of the Americans.

Thanks Moxie. Memphis is on my wife's bucket list of travel destinations as she's a big Elvis fan... so I hope to go there one day!

 

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[Billie]

I think Kei is a big favorite here.

Nicely done BB, I like your introductions to these tournaments.

 

[Moxie]

Thanks Moxie. Memphis is on my wife's bucket list of travel destinations as she's a big Elvis fan... so I hope to go there one day!

I was traveling with a big Elvis fan. And it's not that I don't like Elvis. But I wasn't a huge fan, so I wasn't prepared. Graceland is much more modest in scale than you would expect. And my friend insisted that we go to Tupelo, where he was born. I was rather against that, but conceded. ("Why, just because Elvis was born there?" She said, "Yes.") When we got to that little house he was born in, I cried, it was so humble. She laughed at me, and I deserved it. I hope you get to go with your Elvis-fan wife. I'm telling you you'll find a lot to enjoy. Even Tupelo was so much more than I expected.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kei with a guitar,who knew I wasn't a Elvis Fan,my next door neighbour is sad to say,if I hear 'Caught In A Trap' one more time I will commit myself

Kei to win!

 

[herios]

This event is featuring a large pool of young American talent, no less than 5 teenagers:
My pick among them Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe (all 3 of them getting WC) and also Michael MMoh and Jared Donaldson, both qualified into the main draw (in the picture from left to right)

 

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Frances Tiafoe is an early casualty in Memphis, falling to Ryan Harrison in three.

 

[Billie]

Taylor Fritz won his match. Lots of young Americans here. 3 of them lost, but it is a nice exposure for them.

 

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6th seed Sam Groth packs his bags after losing two tiebreakers.

 

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Round 2:
Mikhail Kukushkin (Kazakhstan) beat 5-Denis Kudla (U.S.) 6-1 7-5
Yoshihito Nishioka (Japan) beat Illya Marchenko (Ukraine) 6-1 6-3

 

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Sam Querrey (4), United States, def. Henri Laaksonen, Switzerland, 6-3, 6-4.
Kei Nishikori (1), Japan, def. Ryan Harrison, United States, 6-2, 7-5.

 

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B. Becker (GER) def. [7] J. Millman (AUS) 6-2, 7-6(6)
[3] D. Young (USA) def. M. Granollers (ESP) 6-1, 7-6(2)
R. Berankis (LTU) def. [8] D. Dzumhur (BIH) 6-3, 6-4
Y. Nishioka (JPN) def. I. Marchenko (UKR) 6-1, 6-3
M. Kukushkin [KAZ] def. [5] D. Kudla (USA) 6-1, 7-5

 

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Young gun Taylor Fritz will face off against Steve Johnson

 

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Donald Young (3), United States, def. Marcel Granollers, Spain, 6-1, 7-6 (2).
Ricardas Berankis, Lithuania, def. Damir Dzumhur (8), Bosnia-Herzegovina, 6-3, 6-4.
Benjamin Becker, Germany, def. John Millman (7), Australia, 6-2, 7-6 (6).
Taylor Fritz, United States, def. Steve Johnson (2), United States, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (7).

Another young gun Taylor Fritz having a good tournament.