Defending champion Frances Tiafoe and top-seeded Ben Shelton are set to face off in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship final after securing victories in their respective semifinal matches on Saturday.
Tiafoe, currently ranked 21st, displayed a strong performance as he defeated Luciano Darderi with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (2). The win puts Tiafoe in contention to become the first repeat champion of the event since Steve Johnson achieved the feat in 2017 and 2018. Despite a spirited comeback attempt by Darderi in the second set, Tiafoe's relentless play ultimately led to his victory, sealed by his opponent's double fault.
Reflecting on his performance, Tiafoe attributed his success to a more aggressive approach and a focus on enjoying the game. He noted the unique clay surface in Houston, which allows for a playing style resembling that of a hard court.
On the other side of the bracket, Shelton, the top seed, overcame an early setback in the form of a first-set tiebreaker loss to defeat Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4. This victory marks Shelton's second ATP final appearance and his first on clay.
Shelton, a 21-year-old talent ranked 16th, acknowledged the adjustment required to adapt to the slower pace of play on clay courts. He emphasized the advantage of having more time to process and strategize during matches, a factor he leveraged to secure his spot in the final.
Notably, Tiafoe and Shelton have a history, with Tiafoe having lost their sole previous encounter at the US Open quarterfinals last September. The upcoming final promises an exciting showdown between two formidable competitors vying for the prestigious U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship title.
