Tommy Paul closes in on Houston title, Frances Tiafoe also remains at U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship
ATP
With all eight players in the Quarter-Finals being from the US, these players would eventually be whittled down in Houston. Tommy Paul though was one of those to move through.
He earned his first ATP Tour win nine years ago in Houston as an 18-year-old. This year, he is two victories away from claiming his maiden tour-level title on clay at the same tournament. He saw off Colton Smith at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship on Friday.
He saw off the qualifier who was the surprise cork in the bottle so to speak 6-1, 7-6(1) and is now two wins away from the title.
While they are now friends off the court with the ATP website remarking that they went fishing earlier in the week, it was a lesson for Smith as Paul who is the most experienced in the field took him to task.
“I came out playing my really well. I think maybe he was a little nervous and gave me a few free points, but then he locked it in there in the second set,” Paul said on-court. “Both of us played high level. I'm glad we got to play a great match in front of you guys.”
Next up will be Jenson Brooksby who rallied past Aleksandar Kovacevic 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes. He escaped match points in both qualifying and the main draw and has rode his luck this week. Will that run out against Paul?
Brandon Nakashima took down Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 6-4 in a dominant serving display. He won 74% of his second-serve points and did not face a break point against Eubanks. Nakashima now faces Frances Tiafoe who was majorly hampered by a rain delay. It was a 7-5, 6-1 win over Alex Michelsen but he now has to return on Saturday with less rest.
He made the final last year and won the title in 2023 though so has gone one game away from a three-peat in terms of finals.
Match Statistics Michelsen vs. Tiafoe
| Michelsen | VS | Tiafoe |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 4 | Aces | 4 |
| 5 | Double Faults | 2 |
| 58% (44/76) | 1st Service Percentage | 57% (33/58) |
| 64% (28/44) | 1st Service Points Won | 79% (26/33) |
| 38% (12/32) | 2nd Service Points Won | 56% (14/25) |
| 75% (12/16) | Break Points Saved | 67% (2/3) |
| 56% (5/9) | Service Games | 90% (9/10) |
| Return | ||
| 21% (7/33) | 1st Return Points Won | 36% (16/44) |
| 44% (11/25) | 2nd Return Points Won | 63% (20/32) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 1h 34m | Match Duration | 1h 34m |
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