Houston History: All American Quarter-Final for first time since 1991 at U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship

For the first time since 1991, it is an all American Quarter-Final line-up in an ATP tournament with the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship gleaming a first since Orlando back then.

Tiafoe booked his ticket to the last eight by defeating Adam Walton 7-5, 6-3 fuelled by his 35 winners against the Australian. The 2023 champion will meet Alex Michelsen who saw off Adrian Mannarino 6-7(0), 6-4, 6-2. The 20-year-old rebounded by jumping to a 5-1 in the second set. He held three set points and then romped away in the final set.

“I felt like I really played every single point, I felt super dialled in,” Tiafoe said. “I was in the zone, so to speak. I don’t think I played my best tennis, but I thought it was a good match overall. Good first match, especially on clay. Just happy to get through. Every win right now is big for me.”

Elsewhere Brandon Nakashima saw off Mackenzie McDonald 6-1, 7-5 to claim his maiden Head to Head win over the 29-year-old. Completing this part of the line-up is Christopher Eubanks who perhaps got the simplest test of all as he advanced after the former World No.4 Kei Nishikori retired.

At that point Eubanks was 6-1 up against Nishikori in what was a bit of a sad scene to see him retire. The Quarter-Finals in the top half of draw will be top seed Tommy Paul against Colton Smith.

While Jenson Brooksby takes on Aleksandar Kovacevic to complete the feat. The magic eight back in Orlando in 1991 was one full of legends in Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Brad Gilbert, MaliVai Washington, Derrick Rostagno, Jimmy Arias, Chuck Adams and David Pate. No shock too that Agassi won the title.

Seven players reached it in San Jose also four years after that including Agassi, Washington, Grabb again. Michael Chang, Jim Courier, Bryan Shelton and Brian MacPhie were also involved.