Using a protected ranking, Queensland's John Millman will become the first Aussie to grace the North American hard courts this week as the build-up to the US Open begins.
Atlanta, GA, USA, 24 July 2017 | tennis.com.au
The hard court tournament, which is the first in the US Open Series leading up to the year’s final Grand Slam event at Flushing Meadows, is an ATP 250-level event.
Another Aussie, Nick Kyrgios, was the defending champion but had to withdraw due to an ongoing hip injury.
Sorry to all at @BBTatlantaopen I'll definitely be back. ❤️½ pic.twitter.com/M57QyPTRvS
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 22, 2017
Millman begins against American Frances Tiafoe, with the winner advancing to a second-round meeting with No.4 seed Ryan Harrison.
The Queenslander is playing just his seventh event of the season after missing eight months due to a groin injury. His last outing was a straight-sets loss to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.
He’s currently ranked 174th after peaking at No.60 just over a year ago.
Also in action this week is Arina Rodionova, who features in the WTA JiangXi Open in Nanchang.
The Melburnian, who recently enjoyed one of the biggest results of her career with a run to the Wimbledon second round as a qualifier, opens against China’s Duan Ying-Ying, the fifth seed.
The draw is bookended by top two seeds Zhang Shuai and Peng Shuai.