By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday April 4, 2025
Frances Tiafe eased past Alex Michelsen to book the final spot in thre Houston semifinals on Friday at River Oaks Country Club.
Frances Tiafoe has won consecutive matches for the first time since last year’s US Open.
The 2023 US Men’s Clay Court champion is back in the semifinals at Houston for a third consecutive year after defeating Alex Michelsen 7-5, 6-1.
“I haven’t won two matches in a row in a long time, this honestly feels really good,” the relieved No.2 seed said on court after his win. “It’s not easy to get wins out here, but it always happens here in Houston, so I’m happy about that.”
After play was delayed by rain for a time, Tiafoe scrapped through a tight opening set with Michelsen, then won eight of the final nine games to finish off the Southern California native in one hour and 34 minutes.
Tiafoe converted four of 16 break points, hit 21 winners and won 26 of 33 first-serve points against Michelsen. He improves to 12-5 lifetime on Houston’s red clay.
The DC native will face Brandon Nakashima in the semifinals on Saturday. Nakashima got past Chris Eubanks 6-4, 6-4.
The top half semifinal will feature top-seeded Tommy Paul and Jenson Brooksby. Paul beat Colton Smith 6-1, 7-6(1), while Brooksby edged Aleksandar Kovacevic, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.