Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Learner Tien advanced to his maiden ATP Tour clay-court quarter-final at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship when he downed Nishesh Basavareddy 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Tien created 15 break chances, converting three, according to ATP Stats, to improve to 3-0 in his Lexus ATP Head-to-Head series with Basavareddy.
“My level dipped a bit in the second set, but I was happy to start the clay swing with a tough win over Nishesh,” Tien said. “We’ve played so many times over the years. I’m trying to use my drop shot more on clay, and I thought it was effective today. I think the surface can really help my forehand too. I’m just trying to improve and learn how to use the clay more effectively.”
Meanwhile, second seed Frances Tiafoe began his Houston campaign with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory against Australian Rinky Hijikata. The 28‑year‑old American, playing his first clay-court tournament since reaching the Roland Garros quarter-finals last season, advanced to his fifth consecutive US Clay quarter-final. With the victory, Tiafoe now sits just two wins away from his fourth straight Houston final.
Moreover, for the first time in 45 years, three Argentine players advanced to the US Clay quarterfinals: No. 6 Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Thiago Agustin Tirante, and Roman Andres Burruchaga. The last time the feat was accomplished came in 1981, when Ricardo Cano, Jose Luis Clerc, and Guillermo Vilas all reached the quarters.
