Tommy Paul qualifier Colton Smith 6-1 7-6 (7-1) to reach the semifinal at the Fayez Sarofim & Co US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston.
Paul is just two wins away from winning his first title on clay in Houston. He won his first ATP Tour in Houston in 2016 when he was 18 years old.
Paul won 22 of his 24 first serve points and hit 23 winners and capitalized on Smith’s 31 unforced errors.
Paul broke three times in the first, third and seventh games to win the first set 6-1.
Smith saved a total of three break points in the second and sixth games. Paul fended off three break points in the seventh game to hold serve for 4-3. Both players went on serve en route to the tie-break. Paul earned three mini-breaks to win the tie-break 7-1 after 1 hour and 29 minutes.
“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. Both of us played high level. I’m glad we got to play a great match in front of you guys. I just have a little bit more experience. I’ve been out here a little longer, and it took me a really long time to make my first semi-final here. But I feel like we’ve made a lot of improvements in my game, and I’m excited for the next matchup”, said Paul in the on-court interview.
Paul set up a semifinal clash against his compatriot Jenson Brooksby, who came back from one set down to beat Aleksandar Kovacevic 2-6 6-3 6-4 in 2 hours and 21 minutes.
Kovacevic converted his fourth break point in the second game of the first set to open up a 2-0 lead. Brooksby broke straight back in the third game for 1-2. Kovacevic broke twice in the fourth and eighth games to win the first set 6-2.
Kovacevic saved a break point in the first game of the second set. Brooksby broke twice in the third and ninth games to close out the second set 6-3.
Kovacevic converted his third break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Brooksby broke straight back on his second opportunity in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. The US player sealed the win with a break on his third match point.
Brooksby will aim to win his first head-to-head match against Paul.
“I think I was able to really stay calm and crawl back like in my previous matches, just regroup. It made all the difference today”, said Brooksby.
Brandon Nakashima beat Christopher Eubanks 6-4 6-4. Nakashima won 74% of his first serve points and did not face a break point.
Eubanks saved two break points in the third game to hold serve for 2-1 at deuce, but Nakashima earned his first break in the seventh game and served out the first set 6-4 with a hold at 30.
Eubanks saved a break point to hold serve at deuce in the first game of the second set. Nakashima converted his second break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead and served out on his first match point.
Nakashima will take on Frances Tiafoe, who beat Alex Michelsen 7-5 6-1. Tiafoe won the title in 2023 and reached the final in 2024 in Houston. Tiafoe converted 4 of his 16 break points.
Michelsen started the match with an early break at 15 in the first game of the opening set. Tiafoe broke straight back in the second game to draw level to 1-1.
Michelsen saved two break points to hold serve after three deuces for 5-5. Tiafoe broke serve on his third set point to close out the first set 7-5.
Tiafoe saved two break points to hold serve after three deuces in the first game. Tiafoe converted his ninth break point in the fourth game and held serve at love to open up a 4-1 lead. Tiafoe broke serve in the sixth game and wrapped up the win on his first match point.
