Taylor Fritz, Cameron Norrie and Mackenzie McDonald join Houston field
The U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship is one of the oldest running tournaments in the world, starting in Omaha way back in 1910 and standing as the last ATP tournament in North America staged on clay. The event had changed numerous locations in the following decades before it settled in Indianapolis for two decades between 1969-1987. The tournament moved to Houston in 2001 and stayed there ever since at the beautiful River Oaks Country Club (the organizers completed the new complex in March 2009), with a solid field of players fighting for the title every April.
It became a part of the official ATP Tour in 1970, staying in the calendar ever since with Manuel Orantes, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, Jim Courrier, Andy Roddick, John Isner and Tommy Haas among the winners. The two-time defending champion Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey have confirmed they will return to Houston this spring and the organizers have revealed the names of their first challengers, signing young guns Taylor Fritz, Cameron Norrie, Mackenzie McDonald and Yoshihito Nishioka.
Twelve months ago, Fritz was the semi-finalist in Houston, beating Tim Smyczek, Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock in three sets before falling to Steve Johnson after a great battle in the opening two sets. Cameron Norrie attended Texas Christian University for three years and he certainly feels like at home in Houston, heading to the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship after winning the maiden ATP title in Auckland at the beginning of the season. Last year, Norrie was beaten by Yoshihito Nishioka in the opening qualifying round and we could see their clash in the main draw this time around, with the Japanese joining the field as well, making a debut last year when he won just three games against Horacio Zeballos.
Another youngster Mackenzie McDonald will play in Houston for the second time, losing to Frances Tiafoe in straight sets last year it what was his only ATP match on the slowest surface so far in a career.
“There is a palpable buzz about the next generation of players on the ATP Tour, and we’re thrilled to be welcoming these upcoming stars to River Oaks,” said Tournament Director Bronwyn Greer. “Over the years, many players have come through Houston on their way to the top of the sport, and we are excited to see the potential of these young stars.”
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2UmtkBA
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