“Houston we have a problem” applies only to Frances Tiafoe’s early round opponents in the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, TX because the Hyattsville native continues to destroy opponents on his way to three consecutive finals at the ATP 250 event.
Having won the 2023 event with a hard-fought 7-6, 7-6 victory over Tomas Etcheverry of Argentina and valiantly falling in three sets last year to fellow American Ben Shelton, Tiafoe is aiming to become the fourth player to win multiple titles at the ATP 250 event since it moved to Houston in 2001 joining Andy Roddick, Juan Monaco and Steve Johnson.
Tiafoe, seeded #2, earned a bye and then breezed through his first three rounds without dropping a set, including wins over Americans Alex Michelsen and Brandon Nakashima, marking Tiafoe’s first back-to-back wins in 2025.
Playing a fellow American in the final for the second time, Tiafoe fell to compatriot qualifier Jenson Brooksby, 6-4. 6-2, who earned his first career title having saved match points in three different matches.
“Stringing a bunch of matches together is always great, and I wish I could do it more week in and week out,” Tiafoe said with a smile during the post-match trophy ceremony. “Hopefully this result helps build momentum for Monte Carlo next week.”
Next up for the Hyattsville native is a first-round encounter with Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters this week.
