Harrison Wins First ATP Title in Memphis

February 20, 2017 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff


American Ryan Harrison captured the first ATP World Tour Title of his career by winning the Memphis Open crown on Sunday. 

American Ryan Harrison captured the first ATP World Tour title of his career over the weekend, downing Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-1, 6-4 to win the Memphis Open title on Sunday.

Harrison stormed through the Memphis draw without dropping a set and cruised past Basilashvili in just 76 minutes in Sunday’s final. He did face 12 break points in the match, but saved each one to record the first title of his career.

“It’s always going to be special, but it’s even better here in front of a group of people that drove up from your hometown and have known you since you were five years old,” said Harrison, who grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana. “To do it in front of friends and family and people that saw the work I was putting in and my dedication, it definitely makes it more special.”

The 24-year old battled back from a 0-40 hole in the sixth game of the second set to consolidate his break and build a 4-2 lead. It helped push him to his 10th consecutive victory dating back to his title at the RBC Tennis Championships in Dallas two weeks ago, an ATP Challenger Tour event.

He has won his last 20 sets and now jumps up to a career high ranking of 43 in the world.

“This was the first place I saw a professional tennis match, driving up from Shreveport. I will always remember Memphis,” said Harrison. “All those emotions were coming out there at the end. You have dreams and aspirations in life and for me it’s trying to be as great as I can in tennis. For me to come back here and win this title when I had thought it was impossible. It’s amazing.”


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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