By Mark Howard | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 5, 2024
Noted photographer Mark Howard is roaming the grounds of River Oaks to shoot this week's Houston tournament. Mark shares Thursday night shots here.
Photo credit: Mark Howard
Editor's Note: Noted photographer Mark Howard is roaming the grounds of the historic River Oaks Country Club in Houston this week shooting the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship.
We thank Mark Howard, who has shot this tournament for several years, for sharing his photography with Tennis Now.
More: Red Alert Houston Gallery by Mark Howard
More: Pumped Houston Gallery by Mark Howard
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You can follow Mark Howard's photography on his website MarkHowardPhotography.com or on Instagram.
Here are Mark's shots from Thursday night in Houston, the only ATP red-clay tournament played on United States' soil.
HOUSTON RESULTS—Thursday, April 4, 2024
Singles Second Round
[3] Frances Tiafoe (USA) d. James Duckworth (Australia) 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-5
[4] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentina) vs Daniel Ehali Galan (Colombia) 6-4, 6-4
[6] Jordan Thompson (Australia) d. Aleksandar Kovacevic (USA) 4-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(7)
[WC] Michael Mmoh (USA) d. [8] Max Purcell (Australia) 6-2, 7-5
ORDER OF PLAY - Friday, April 5, 2024
STADIUM COURT - START 12 NOON
[4] Tomas Martin Etcheverry (Argentina) vs. [WC] Michael Mmoh (USA)
[1] Ben Shelton (USA) vs. Brandon Nakashima (USA)
[7] Marcos Giron (USA) vs. Luciano Darderi (Italy)
Night Session - Not Before 6:00 pm WATCH ON ESPN
[3] Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs. [6] Jordan Thompson (Australia)
N. Sriram Balaji (India) / Andre Begemann (Germany) vs. [4] Max Purcell (Australia) / Jordan Thompson (Australia)
COURT 3 - START 4:30 P.M.
Will Blumberg (USA) /John Peers (Australia) vs. Fernando Romboli (Brazil) / Marcelo Zormann (Brazil)
SINGLES NOTES
Aleksandar Kovacevic played two of the longest matches in US Clay recorded history (since 1995) this week. His second round loss Thursday is the longest US Clay match, lasting 3 hours, 35 minutes. His opening round win Tuesday is tied for third longest at 3 hours, 16 minutes.
Frances Tiafoe needed just 2 hours, 14 minutes to reach the quarterfinals after having a first round bye.
Five Americans advanced to Friday's quarterfinals - No. 1 Ben Shelton, No. 3 Frances Tiafoe, No. 7 Marcos Giron, Michael Mmoh and Brandon Nakashima. This marks the fifth year in the tournament's Houston-era where the quarterfinals have featured five American players (2024, 2022, 2018, 2017, 2002)
At least one American will reach the semifinals, marking the 22nd straight edition of US Clay in which that has happened.
As many as four Americans could reach the semifinals, which would surpass the Houston-era (since 2001) tournament record of three (2018, 2017 and 2002). The last ATP event with an all-American semifinal lineup was earlier this season at Delray Beach.
Defending champion Frances Tiafoe kicked off his 2024 title defense with a three-set victory over Australian James Duckworth, where Tiafoe hit 15 aces and held all 15 of his services games. He has now won five consecutive matches at River Oaks and won 55 of his last 56 service games here.
Top seed Ben Shelton takes on fellow American Brandon Nakashima in a battle of "Next-Gen" Americans. Shelton (No. 17) and Nakashima (No. 92) are two of four Americans under 25 currently ranked inside the top 100.
Defending runner-up Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina prevailed 6-4, 6-4 over Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia in a battle of clay-court specialists, where Etcheverry overcame an on-court vomiting episode during a changeover before serving out the match.
Italian Luciano Darderi, who has the most 2024 clay court wins of any player left in the draw, saved three match points in his first round match against American Denis Kudla.
Among the eight matchups in the Round of 16, four matches featured battles between Americans and Australians, where the Americans prevailed 3-1.