Day two of the Atlanta Tennis Championships and it was time for area players to shine. Both Robby Ginepri and Donald Young got to see their dream come true. They played in an ATP even while while staying at home..For Ginepri , it has been a long wait for pro tennis to return to Atlanta. The Kennesaw resident and Wheeler High School alum was feeling some nerves playing in front of friends and family , but rallied to take charge of the first round match with Nick Lindahl. I was sitting near Robby’s Father , who is also his business partner with the Olde Town Club in Marietta. A proud father looked on as his son battled through 90 degree heat for a victory..He can playin the heat, said Rene Ginepri. He actually hoped that Robby’s next match would be during the day, but the ATP decided otherwise, scheduling Ginepri’s next match against fellow American Mardy Fish Wednesday night. The other home town product , Donald Young, played on court 1, which only has bleaches on eastside of the court. That means those spectators were facing a boiling sun. Like Ginepri,Young got off to a shaky start, then regrouped to win th first set 7-5 over Dudi Sela. Young , is a junior tennis legend who has struggled to find the right formula for success in ATP tournaments..Earlier this year, Donald’s parents surrendered their coaching duties to the USTA and it seems to be working. Young now shows patience on court instead of rushing through his matches. That was the differnce today, and it frustrated Sela so bad he flung his towel over the fence after going own 4-0 in the second set. Young won the set 6-0 to complete an impressive opening round. Young will face Kevin Anderson Thursday. I spoke with Donald Young’s Parents and they were all smiles, looking ahead to the next round..With his ranking now at 105, a second round win could send Young into the top 100 in the world.. Also seen at the Atlanta Athletic Club. James Blake falls to Taylor Dent in three sets and I got to perform my duties, interviewing the winners after each match on the court, like US Open.. This is a great week for Atlanta and today the homeboys made the spectators proud.. Let’s hope we get to see more tomorrow..
