Named after the legendary Michael Jordan, there was a brief period when Michael Mmoh considered a career in basketball.
Fortunately it was such a short-lived notion for the 17-year-old, with his advancement to the third round of the Wimbledon boys’ event the latest sign of a bright future in tennis.
A winner of the prestigious lead-in ITF junior event in Roehampton, Mmoh once again displayed the best of his big-serving game to dismantle Nuno Borges of Portugal 6-1, 6-2 in just 52 minutes.
Given the three-set test that Mmoh only just passed to progress through the first round, it was a pleasing performance for the American. “I think I played really solid today. I started off really well and served really well,” he said. “I was playing a lot more aggressively than yesterday. It was a great match overall for me.
Success at this level is a logical progression for Mmoh, with his Nigerian-born father, Tony, a former professional player who rose to world No.105 and represented his country at the 1998 Seoul Olympics.
Mmoh junior is also gaining some impressive experience at a higher level, having combined with Frances Tiafoe, another talented young American, to contest the US Open doubles event, where they progressed to the second round.
We always hang out with each other even if we play each other. We're still best buds
“That was a great experience,” Mmoh said. “Playing like two guys who were top 50 at the time. It gives you a good taste at that level.”
Born in Saudia Arabia, mostly raised in Washington but now based at the IMG Academy in Florida, Mmoh is one of many Americans showcasing their potential in the boys’ draw. Five of the eight US boys who started in the draw have progressed into the third round.
Mmoh, who grew up idolising Andy Roddick, believes it’s a perfect success-breeds-success environment. “We’re all trying to push each other to keep on going,” he explained. “We always hang out with each other even if we play each other. We’re still like best buds.”
The most qualified American, by virtue of his top seeding at SW19 and recent runner-up finish in the French Open boys’ event, is Taylor Fritz, who has surrendered only eight games in his two matches so far (the latest win occurring against Sora Fukuda in the second round).
Also the son of former tour players, the 17-year-old is determined to emulate his world No.1 junior ranking as a professional and like Mmoh, believes the success of similarly aged compatriots provides the perfect setting.
“We’re all going to push each other to get better and better,” he told atpworldtour.com ahead of Wimbledon. “Other than if just one of us was good there wouldn’t be anything making them keep pushing but with all of us competing against each other, it makes us work harder and become better players.”
The family connection is also strong for Sweden’s Mikael Ymer, with older brother, Elias, making a much talked-about charge towards the ATP’s top 100. Clearly the lessons of watching his older brother compete (including in Wimbledon qualifying) have been well-absorbed for the younger Ymer, who moved into the third round with a straight-sets win over Nathan Ponwith.
Straight-sets victories also marked progress into the third round for Franco Capalbo (who upset No.15 seed Stefaos Tsitsipas), Yosuka Watanuki, William Blumberg, Denis Shapovalov, Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera, Alvaro Lopez San Martin, Johan Nikles and Patrik Niklas-Salminen.
There were tougher challenges, however, for many seeded players. No.3 seed Corentin Donelly exited in three sets to Reilly Opelka (another American), while No.2 seed Duck Hee Lee only narrowly avoided the same fate as he took two hours and 43 minutes to overcome determined Australian Marc Polmans 6-7(6), 7-6(3) 9-7.
No. 7 seed Paul Taylor survived a similar scare in defeating Juan Jose Rosas 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 and No.8 seed Viktor Durasovic also needed three sets to overcome Lukas Klein.
