Day 2 of the Memphis Open brought many exciting and long matches in contrast to Day 1, when we saw only one match go into three sets. A lot of Americans were out on the court today, including the all American derby of youngsters between Taylor Fritz and Michael Mmoh.
Taylor Harry Fritz, the year-end Junior No. 1 of 2015 faced in his opening the qualifier Michael Mmoh. Fritz, who had a break out year in 2015 was dominant from start to finish. Fritz was not broken at all and his serve was in danger only twice. Fritz is in amazing form, winning 10 of his last 12 matches. As he did in Australian Open facing Sock, Fritz will get another look at beating the top Americans against Steve Johnson, the second seed. Henri Laaksonen got a lucky draw with injured Australian Matthew Ebden, he was able to prolong his stay in Memphis for at least a round longer. Marcel Granollers routined the Tunisian Malek Jaziri 6-1 6-3. Another match between two shorter players was Dudi Sela and Ricardas Berankis. This match was the one of the two that lasted over 2 hours. The final scoreline was 6-7(5) 6-2 7-5, for the Lithuanian.
Other three Americans in play were the journeymen Tim Smyczek and Austin Krajicek and the rising star Tommy Paul. All 3 of these guys were the outsiders in their matches, but managed to push their opponents into three sets. Austin Krajicek was the one who came the closest to winning, losing 3-6 7-6(3) 5-7. Both players made 11 aces and their match lasted just over 2 hours and 42 minutes. Tommy Paul, who went to play the Floridian Futures, where in the beginning of the year also received a wild card, but was stopped by the German veteran Benjamin Becker, 4-6 6-3 3-6. This was Paul’s only second loss in the last 12 matches. Tim Smyczek was the one who seemed to have the best 
chance for the upset, playing the Bosnian, Damir Dzumhur. Both players have similar game styles and physique, not being the tallest among tennis players. That’s why it was no surprise to see 10 breaks in the match. Smyczek lost the match, despite leading 2-0 in the final set. Dzumhur won 6-3 4-6 6-3.
In doubles matches, the 3-time champions of the Memphis Open, the Bryan brothers made an early exit another American team, Nicholas Monroe and Austin Krajicek. The match ended with a bizarre scoreline of 1-6 7-6(5) 12-10. The other 2 matches were also interesting, when the 4th seeds Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey beat their tricky first round opponents, the newly formed team of Marcel Granollers and Sam Groth 6-3 6-4. Bryans weren’t the only seeds upset, with the second seeded team of Max Mirnyi and Treat Huey losing in straigh sets to the exciting team of Taylor Fritz and Ryan Harrison, which received a wild card. The final score of the match was 7-6(3) 6-4.
