Tommy Paul advance to the semis, record first victory after nine years in Houston

Tommy Paul earned his first ATP Tour win nine years ago in Houston as an 18-year-old. This year, the American is two victories from claiming his maiden tour-level title on clay at the same event.

The top seed advanced to the semi-finals of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court championship on Friday with a 6-1, 7-6(1) triumph against qualifier Colton Smith.

“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,” Paul said in his on-court interview. “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,” Paul said. “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.”

That clash will be with qualifier Jenson Brooksby, who rallied past Aleksandar Kovacevic 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes. The World No. 507 had already escaped match point in two matches — one in each of qualifying and the main draw.

“I think I was able to really stay calm and crawl back like in my previous matches, just regroup,” said Brooksby, who will try to earn his first Lexus ATP Head2Head win against Paul. “And it made all the difference today.”

The All-American quarter-finals continued when Brandon Nakashima eliminated Christopher Eubanks 6-4, 6-4 behind a dominant serving performance.

The fourth seed won 74 per cent of his second-serve points and did not face a break point against Eubanks. Nakashima, who will next try to make his first clay-court ATP Tour final, is up to No. 31 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

“I thought it was a very good performance from me,” Nakashima said. “Very difficult conditions out here today and with Chris there are not going to be many rallies and you know he’s going to hit some good serves, so just tried to take care of my serve and I’m happy the way I played.”

After rain suspended play, Frances Tiafoe sealed his place in the semi-finals against Nakashima with a 7-5, 6-1 win against fifth seed Alex Michelsen. The second seed had not made a quarter-final this season and is now two victories from his first title of 2025.

The 2023 champion and 2024 finalist in Houston, Tiafoe has now made three consecutive finals at the tournament. He earned 16 break points against Michelsen and converted four of them to advance.