The 2017 BB&T Atlanta Open has its Cinderella story.
Christopher Eubanks, an Atlanta native and rising senior at Georgia Tech, defeated the favored Jared Donaldson in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, on Thursday evening.
“It is like a dream come true,” Eubanks said. “I am hoping I am not waking up anytime soon.”
Eubanks will face Ryan Harrison in the quarterfinals. Harrison narrowly avoided an upset by John Millman earlier in the day. His match went almost three hours, and the weather forced an hour and-a-half suspension that in turn pushed Eubanks’ start time back a couple of hours.
The 21-year-old was a wild card entry into this year’s tournament, his third appearance at the Atlanta Open. He topped Taylor Fritz in the opening round, 7-6, 6-4.
“It’s tough,” Eubanks said of comparing his two wins. “I do not think I could rank one over another. The whole situation is pretty crazy. Both of the wins lumped up together, it makes for a pretty remarkable week. I am just hoping I can keep it going. Then you can be asking what is better your first, your second or your third.”
Eubanks has had the hometown crowd behind him this week, and he hopes that continues Friday.
Harrison hasn’t faced Eubanks, but admitted he’s been impressed by the two-time ACC Player of The Year.
“He has got a big game,” Harrison said. “Anytime you got a guy is 6’8 of 6’9 with a live arm, and he is pretty fundamentally sound also. It is just a matter of time before he gets control of all those big shots. And it is dangerous. Even playing him now, if someone is playing him in the Finals because he has got a big game and a big serve you know the margins are going to be small.”
Eubanks shares the enthusiasm.
“I know Ryan really well,” he said. “I’ve watched him for years. Now it is time to step up on the court and see how I match up with him. I cannot wait.”
But for now – just for a night - Eubanks will soak up the biggest moments of his young career.
“The entire situation itself is such a blast,” he said. “I am just enjoying it and having fun. I am playing pretty well. That’s the cool part.”
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