Four Americans advance on first day of qualifying in U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 8, 2017) First day of qualifying is complete at the U.S. Clay Court Championships with four Americans advancing to Sunday’s final day of qualifying. The tournament, which is being held at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston and began on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

American Bradley Klahn downed Renzo Olivo (Argentina) 4-6, 7-5, 4-0 (retired due to illness) with countryman Noah Rubin defeating Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo (Spain) 7-6 (3), 7-5. Denis Kudla advanced over fellow American Brian Baker, who withdrew with knee problem. The final American advancer was Tennys Sandgream, who eliminated Steven Diez (Canada) 6-3, 6-3.

In other action, Benjamin Becker (Germany) outsted Guido Andreozzi (Argentina) 6-0, 7-5 while Teymuraz Gabashvili (Russia) beath Peter Polansky (Canada) 6-2, 7-6 (5). In the final two matches of the day, Leonardo Mayer (Argentina) downed Tim Smyczek (USA) 3-6, 6-4,  7-6 (3) and Maximo Gonzalez (Argentina) defeated Dennis Novikov (USA) 6-4, 7-6 (13).

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

The 15-13 tie-break won by Gonzalez was longer than any main draw tie-break played in tournament history. The main draw tournament record is 14-12, won by Horacio De La Pena over Claudio Messadri in the 1993 semifinals. At least one and as many as three Americans may advance into the main draw through qualifying. Already, 10 Americans are in the field, marking the fourth time in five year's a double-digit number of U.S. players are participating at River Oaks. Regardless of how many Americans win Sunday, this year's field will have the most Americans participating since 13 played in 2007.

Main draw play will begin on Monday, and is expected to include the start of Juan Monaco's title defense. The two-time champion is slated to play Dustin Brown on opening night. Other matchups due to take court during Monday's "Super Session," which begins at 3 p.m., include 2014 champion Fernando Verdasco taking on Kevin Anderson and 39-year-old Tommy Haas facing 19-year-old Reilly Opelka.