Tommy Paul Advances to Semi-Finals in Houston Clay Court Championship

HOUSTON, Texas — Tommy Paul secured his place in the semi-finals of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship on April 5, 2025, with a straight-sets victory over Colton Smith, winning 6-1, 7-6(1).

Paul, the top seed and 13th-ranked player in the PIF ATP Rankings, displayed his experience on the court as he aims for his first tour-level title on clay after earning his initial ATP Tour win in Houston nine years ago at the age of 18.

“I came out playing really well. I think maybe he was a little nervous and gave me a few free points, but then he locked it in during the second set,” Paul said in his on-court interview. “Both of us played at a high level. I’m glad we got to play a great match in front of you guys.”

Despite only landing 47 percent of his first serves, Paul excelled by winning 80 percent of his service points, according to Infosys ATP Stats. He credited his recent improvements for his current run in the tournament. “I just have a little bit more experience,” he explained. “It took me a really long time to make my first semi-final here, but I feel like we’ve made a lot of improvements in my game, and I’m excited for the next matchup.”

Paul’s next opponent, Jenson Brooksby, also advanced after defeating his rival in a fiercely contested match, winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Brooksby, who has escaped match points in his previous matches, reflected on his resilience. “I was able to stay calm and crawl back just like I did in my previous matches, and it made all the difference today,” he said.

The quarter-finals also saw Frances Tiafoe defeating Adrian Mannarino to join Paul and Brooksby in the semi-finals. Tiafoe’s win was characterized by his aggressive play, as he claimed victory with a score of 7-5, 6-3, while Brandon Nakashima continued to impress by ousting Mackenzie McDonald, 6-1, 7-5.

Notably, this year’s tournament marks the first time since 1991 that all eight quarterfinalists are American players. This highlights the growing strength of U.S. men’s tennis.

Looking ahead to the semi-finals, Paul is aware of the challenge Brooksby poses. “It’s always tough to face someone who has nothing to lose. I’ll be focused and ready,” he said. As the excitement builds for the finals, Paul’s determination remains evident as he seeks to capture his first clay title.