HOUSTON/STARNBERG, April 6, 2024
At least one US-American has reached the semi-finals of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship for the 22nd straight edition of the tournament – the event’s entire tenure in Houston. This year, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are representing Team USA in the final four.
Top seed Shelton defeated his compatriot Brandon Nakashima on Friday and advanced to his first career semifinal on clay. The World No. 16 is bidding to reach his second career final on the ATP Tour. Shelton will face 2023 runner-up Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina on Saturday. It will be their first meeting.
Tiafoe beat No. 6 seed Jordan Thompson of Australia and will face Italy’s Luciano Darderi as he continues his title defense. It will be their first meeting.
Back on the come up 💪
Defending Houston champion @FTiafoe brings his best to hold off Thompson 7-6(8) 6-4 in a QF thriller!#USClay pic.twitter.com/ET0kZnA7Bx
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 6, 2024
If Shelton and Tiafoe both win Saturday, it would be the tenth all-US-American US Clay final of the Open Era, first since 2022, and 7th in the last 10 events.
RESULTS – Friday, April 5, 2024
Singles Quarterfinals
[1] Ben Shelton (USA) d. Brandon Nakashima (USA) 7-5 7-6(9)
[3] Frances Tiafoe (USA) d. [6] Jordan Thompson (Australia) 7-6(8) 6-4
[4] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentina) d. [WC] Michael Mmoh (USA) 6-3 0-1 ret. (adductor)
Luciano Darderi (Italy) d. [7] Marcos Giron (USA) 6-0 6-4
Doubles – Semifinals
[4] Max Purcell (Australia) / Jordan Thompson (Australia) d. N. Sriram Balaji (India) / Andre Begemann (Germany) 6-7(5) 6-2 10-3
Will Blumberg (USA) /John Peers (Australia) d. Fernando Romboli (Brazil) / Marcelo Zormann (Brazil) 6-7(3) 6-3 10-3
ORDER OF PLAY – Saturday, April 6, 2024
STADIUM COURT – START 1:00 PM
[1] Ben Shelton (USA) vs. [4] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentina)
[3] Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs. Luciano Darderi (Italy)
Doubles Final – Not Before 4:00 pm
Will Blumberg (USA) /John Peers (Australia) vs.[4] Max Purcell (Australia) / Jordan Thompson (Australia)
