U.S. MEN'S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
- Michael Thervil
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Written by Michael Thervil
Looks like the ATP 250 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship tournament is off to a really good start, with the second day of qualifiers ending, it's safe to say that everyone that competed for a spot in this year's tournament represented themselves very well. Of course, everyone won't make it but that’s the point of a tournament like this one; only room for the best of the best. With the Texas heat turning up, so did the heat on today’s tennis courts between the world’s top contenders in professional men's tennis.
The players that won their qualifying matches on the second day of qualifiers were Michael Kruger who toppled Germany’s Patrick Zahraj. Michael Kruger led in all three categories with those categories being service, return, and point stats. Looking at the point stats of this match Michael Kruger stood at 10/13 (77%) to Patrick Zahraj 5/7 (71%). Although Patrick Zahraj led when it came to winners at 32, Michael Kruger fell behind four points in this area at 28. Patrick Zahraj also had a high number of unforced errors at 30 to Michael Krueger’s 19. Looking at service points Michael Kruger stood at 43/78 (55%) to Patrick Zahraj 33/63 (53%). Patrick Zahraj fell behind in return points earned at 35/78 (45%) to Michael Krueger 29/62 (47%). Total points won between both players resulted in Michael Kruger obtaining 72/140 (51%) to Patrick Zahraj 68/140 (49%).
In the match between two of France's biggest stars in men's professional tennis, Adrian Mannarino and Corentin Denolly, it would be Corentin Denolly who would advance to the next phase of the tournament. Both players tied when it came to net points won, with 75% apiece. Adrian Mannarino 9/12 and Corentin Denolly 12/16. Looking at the winners between the two, it would be Corentin Denolly who came out on top with 42 to Adrian Mannarino's 38. Adrian Mannarino also led by slim margin in unforced errors 48 to Corentin Denolly 47. Corentin Denolly took the lead when it came to service points won with 79/129 (61%) to Adrian Mannarino’s 73/113 (39%). Adrian Mannarino led in return points won with 50/129 (39%) to Corentin Denolly’s 40/113 (35%). The total points won between the two players stood at Adrian Mannarino obtaining 123/242 (51%) to Corentin Denolly 119/242 (49%)
The next match-up of the day Liam Draxi vs. Colton Smith. Nearly sweeping Liam Draxi , Colton Smith was declared the winner of the qualifier match with 71/129 (55%) total points won to Liam Draxi’s 58/129 (45%). When it came to net points won, Liam Draxi stood at 7/7 (100%) to Colton Smith’s 13/18 (72%). In terms of winners, it would be Colton Smith that would take an incredible lead of 32 to Liam Draxi’s 11. Liam Draxi had 24 unforced errors to Colton Smith’s 32. When it comes to the service points won, Liam Draxi had 40/67 (29%) compared to Colton Smith’s 44/67 (40%).
For the last match-up of the day for qualifiers it would be Jenson Brooksby would advance to the next phase of the tournament over Patrick Maloney. Jenson Brooksby would take the lead in the following categories: net points won 4/5 (80%), winners 14, service points won 39/53 (41%), and total points won 60/104 (58%). Patrick Maloney fell behind in net points won, 2/4 (50%), winners 12, service points won 30/51/ (59%), return points won 14/53 (26%), and total points won 42%.
We look forward to continuing our press coverage of the 115th annual ATP 250 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship tomorrow as the official games begin at 2pm at the river oak country club, the best country club in Houston Texas.
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