It’s something American tennis fans have been anticipating for years. Ryan harrison, at 24 years old, has finally won his first ATP World Tour title. Despite giving Nikoloz Basilashvili a plethora of break points, Harrison steamrolled through the final, winning 6-1, 6-4.
Tremendous week for @ryanharrison92 wins 1st atp title @memphisopen without dropping a set, now won 20 sets in row with Dallas challenger
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) February 19, 2017
The theme of the match was Harrison saving break points. And he had to start early, as he went down 15-40 serving in the very first game. But Basilashvili rolled his ankle on the next point, and Harrison hit an unreturned serve after that, bringing it to deuce and enabling himself to get out with a hold.
Shortly thereafter, Harrison was up 2-1 with two break points of his own. Basilashvili fought off the first one with a forehand winner, but he lost the second one by missing a backhand wide. This gave Harrison a 3-1 lead.
Harrison then held for 4-1, and broke yet again in the next game after Basilashvili missed a crosscourt backhand, making it 5-1.
Harrison completed the breadstick by holding at love when Basilashvili missed a forehand wide.
To start the second set, Harrison got down 0-1 and 15-40 on his own serve. But he managed to use his big serve to get free points, holding for 1-1 on an ace up the T.
Trailing 1-2, Harrison once again found himself down break point. This time, it was two groundstrokes into the nets from Basilashvili and another ace up the T that kept the set on serve.
Then on Basilashvili’s serve, the Georgian’s misses continued, giving Harrison three break points. Harrison broke on the third when Basilashvili double-faulted. This put Harrison up 3-2.
Still, Harrison needed to hold in order to stay ahead. And yet again, he was down 0-40. the American caught up by hitting an ace out wide and smashing an overhead, getting to deuce after Basilashvili missed a forehand. Harrison eventually held on for 4-2.
Then at 5-3, Harrison was — you guessed it — down break point. He saved it with an ace and held to make it 5-3.
At 5-4, Harrison served for the match. Basilashvili led 15-40 (because of course he did). With the pressure on, Harrison blasted an ace up the T, and Basilashvili missed his next return long. Basilashvili then netted a backhand, giving Harrison match point.
With another ace up the T, Harrison won both the match and his long-awaited first title.
So happy 4 @ryanharrison92 capturing 1st @ATPWorldTour singles title. Hard work/perseverance pays off AND good things happen 2 good people!
— Justin Gimelstob (@justingimelstob) February 19, 2017
“After a lot of setbacks and a few years of having my ranking drop a little bit, you get to a point where you’re not quite sure — you really don’t know if you’re ever gonna be able to achieve some of those things that you always wanted to achieve, one of those being winning an ATP title. For me to be where I am now … it’s surreal. I honestly can’t believe it. ” Harrison said in his emotional victory speech.
