Top US Open Series Breakout Contenders: Atlanta

ATP players from around the world are making their way to North America to compete in the 16th edition of the US Open Series. Beginning last year, the US Open Series recognized one man and one woman in the early stages of their career for “Breakout Performance.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas earned his Breakout Performer award with his rocket-ride to the Rogers Cup final in Toronto, where he took out Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Kevin Anderson.

Arnya Sabalenka was awarded Breakout Performer after her sizzling summer where she reached the semifinals of Cincinnati by defeating three Top-15 players: Caroline Garcia, Karolina Pliskova, and Madison Keys. The very next week she captured her first WTA Premier title in New Haven.

There's a lot of tennis to be played, but everyone will keep an eye out on any breakout star potential. Here are a few possible contenders playing this week at the BB&T Atlanta Open:

1

Reilly Opelka

The world No. 57-ranked American is looking to make a splash this summer. This time last year he played just one ATP Challenger ahead of a first-round loss in New York, so he enters the North American hard-court swing with zero points to defend.

Opelka’s game is tailor-made for the hot, high bouncing hard courts of the US Open Series. Hot temperatures currently ravaging the East Coast of the United States will increase the pressure of the tennis ball causing it to zip through the air and also bounce higher off the ground. It's a dream come true for serve-bots like Opelka, and his fellow American John Isner, who has served his way to the Atlanta title five times. Other past winners include Andy Roddick (2012) and Nick Kyrgios (2016)—clearly the serve is King in Atlanta.

2

Alexander Bublik

Bublik has taken the tennis world by storm, quickly becoming a fan favorite with his unorthodox brand of tennis. The 22-year-old Kazakhstani hits more underhand serves and flashy trick shots than Kyrgios, but he also wins matches in the process. Bublik advanced to his first career ATP final last week in Newport, falling to Isner in straight sets. He enters the US Open series playing at a career-high ranking of No. 71.

3

Ugo Humbert

Currently sitting at a career-high ranking of No. 46, the 21-year-old Frenchman is in the midst of his own breakout, reaching the Wimbledon fourth round before bowing out to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. This time last year Humbert was ranked outside of the Top 200. The rising star plays a beautiful brand of tennis and is an exceptional shot-maker. Humbert reached the semifinals of Newport last week and is riding a wave of confidence entering the US Open Series.

4

Miomir Kecmanovic

Much like Humbert, 19-year old Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic enters the US Open Series playing at a new career high. The world No. 66 was ranked No. 188 in the world this time last year. Like Serbia's No. 1 Djokovic, Kecmanovic has the ability to outlast his opponents with an extremely solid brand of tennis. Kecmanovic doesn’t like to miss, and will look to grind down the competition while raising his ranking to new heights. Like Opelka, he enters the hard-court swing with zero points to defend from last year and could break into the Top 50 with just a few solid performances.