JJ Wolf cruised past Jordan Thompson 6-3 6-2 in 74 minutes to reach the second round at the Fayez Sarofim & Co US Men’s Clay Club Championship in Houston.
Wolf did not face a break point and dropped just four first serve points. The US player broke serve in the sixth game of the first set and twice in the fifth and seventh games of the second set.
“First-clay court tournament of the year for me, so I was very excited. I am very excited. I am just trying to be patient and play some good tennis. Holding serve was good for me today. There is no place like it. It’s so much fun playing here. It’s such a nice club. The people are awesome, everybody within the tournament is awesome as well”, said Wolf.
Tomas Machac beat 2015 Houston champion Jack Sock 6-2 6-4 with two breaks in the first and third games of the opening set and in the seventh game of the second set.
“I just wanted to thank Bronwyn and everyone at the tournament. Obviously this is the place where I won my first title, so it’s always been a very special tournament for me. I have always loved coming back. Just in case I am not competing in this event next year, I just wanted to thank Brownyn, the fans, River Oaks, everyone that helps put the tournament on for some amazing memories and years here. Hopefully I am playing next year and competing in the event, but just in case out of respect I wanted to thank everyone involved”, said Sock.
Yannick Hanfmann edged past Yosuke Watanuki 6-4 3-6 6-2. Watanuki earned the first break in the third game to take a 2-0 lead. Hanfmann broke straight back in the third game and held on his serve to draw level to 2-2. Hanfmann broke again in the ninth game to win the first set 6-4. Watanuki broke in the second game to win the second set 6-3. Hanfmann sealed the third set with a double break on his third match point.
Tomas Martin Etcheverry beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3 6-4 in an all Argentine head-to-head match. Etcheverry converted his fourth break point in the second game to take a 2-0 lead. Cerundolo broke straight back in the third game. Etcheverry earned his second break in the third game and closed out the first set 6-3 on his fourth set point. Etcheverry went up a break in the first game to take a 2-0 lead. Cerundolo broke back in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. Etcheverry broke for the second time in the seventh game and saved three break points to hold serve at deuce for 5-3.
