Shelton opens Houston campaign
Big-serving Ben Shelton outlasted Zhang Zhizhen to kick off his U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship run in Houston, while Rinky Hijikata beat Aleksandar Kovacevic and is slated to face Frances Tiafoe next. (beinsports.com) (sportskeeda.com)
Shelton produced 21 aces to Zhang’s 12 and the match featured no service breaks, finishing in two tiebreaks (7-6(7-5), 7-6(7-3)) over one hour and 53 minutes. (beinsports.com) His next scheduled opponent is Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante in the quarterfinals, and the win moves Shelton into the last eight as the tournament’s top seed. (beinsports.com) Becoming the United States’ No. 1, Shelton is set to surpass Taylor Fritz in the ATP rankings on Monday after a February title run in Dallas where he saved three championship points to beat Fritz in the final. (beinsports.com) (atptour.com) Rinky Hijikata closed his opener in Houston 6-4, 6-2 against Aleksandar Kovacevic in a match that lasted approximately 1 hour 22 minutes. (tennistonic.com) Hijikata, ranked No. 102, is slated to face Frances Tiafoe next; Tiafoe is the tournament’s second seed, sits at World No. 18, and leads their head-to-head 2–1 after a 6-4, 6-4 meeting earlier this year. (sportskeeda.com) The Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship runs at River Oaks Country Club from March 30–April 5, 2026, with the event’s total prize pool listed at roughly $700,045 and live U.S. coverage on Tennis Channel. (mensclaycourt.com) (sportskeeda.com)
