Tiafoe beats Nakashima, makes third straight final in Houston

Second seed Frances Tiafoe won against No 4 seed Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6 (3) to move into the final of the Houston Open at River Oaks Country Club on Saturday.

Tiafoe came out on top after a 103-minute-long battle on the back of four aces, five break-point conversions and 26 winners.

“I thought I played pretty well tonight,” Tiafoe said after the match. “Tough, tough conditions. Really tough winds on this side of the court, we were both struggling to hold serve. But I thought I came out with a great energy and it’s again just having fun out here and playing really well my first tournament on clay. I really love playing here in Houston.”

This is the third-straight year the American has booked his place in the Houston final. He defeated Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry in 2023 to take the trophy home and lost to compatriot Ben Shelton in the previous year’s final.

Tiafoe, ranked No 17, will play qualifier Jenson Brooksby next.

Earlier in the tournament, Frances Tiafoe beat Australian Adam Walton (7-5, 6-3) and No 5 seed Alex Michelsen (7-5, 6-1).

Nakashima, ranked No 33, won against Mackenzie McDonald (6-1, 7-5) and Christopher Eubanks (6-4, 6-4) in the previous rounds of the Houston tournament.

Houston ATP 250, other semi-final result (River Oaks Country Club, clay, USD 680.140):

• Jenson Brooksby beat Tommy Paul (1): 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (6)

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