American Players Sweep ATP Quarter-Finals for First Time Since 1991

HOUSTON, April 4, 2025 — In a historic moment for American tennis, all eight quarter-final spots at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship were claimed by U.S. players, marking the first time this has occurred since 1991 in Orlando. The feat was celebrated as Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen led the charge into the final eight on Thursday evening.

Tiafoe, the second seed and 2023 champion, secured his quarter-final berth with a straightforward win over Australia’s Adam Walton, defeating him 7-5, 6-3. Tiafoe’s performance included an impressive display of power, hitting 35 winners during the match. “I felt like I really played every single point, I felt super dialed in,” Tiafoe said. “I was in the zone, so to speak. Just happy to get through. Every win right now is big for me,” he added after his 90-minute victory.

Alex Michelsen, the fifth seed, also advanced by defeating French player Adrian Mannarino in a closely contested match, 6-7(0), 6-4, 6-2. Despite losing the first set, Michelsen bounced back with a strong start in the second, taking a 5-1 lead and ultimately delivering a series of consistent performances to secure his place in the quarter-finals. He became the youngest American to reach this stage in Houston since a 20-year-old did so in 2018.

“It was important to stay composed and focus on every point,” Michelsen commented after his victory, highlighting the pressure of competing against a seasoned opponent. He will next face Tiafoe, who has a slight edge in their head-to-head history, with Tiafoe leading their series 1-0.

Brandon Nakashima joined his fellow Americans in the quarter-finals, overcoming Mackenzie McDonald 6-1, 7-5. His performance included winning 82 percent of his second-serve points, illustrating his effectiveness on the clay surface. “Mackie is a great friend of mine. We have a lot of fun off the court together. Every time we play, it’s going to be a battle,” Nakashima said regarding his match.

In other matches, Christopher Eubanks also made headlines by advancing after eighth-seed Kei Nishikori retired due to injury while trailing 6-1. The quarter-finals will now feature a lineup of all-American matchups, with Tiafoe facing Michelsen, Nakashima against Eubanks, and the talented Jenson Brooksby squaring off with Aleksandar Kovacevic.

The remarkable achievement of having all U.S. players in quarter-finals at an ATP event is a testament to the growing talent in American tennis, signaling a bright future for the sport in the country.