Defending champion Tiafoe sets all-American final in Houston

American Frances Tiafoe, the No 3 seed, beat Italian Luciano Darderi 6-2, 7-6 (2) to reach the final of the Houston Open at River Oaks Country Club on Saturday night.

Tiafoe, ranked No 21, will face American Ben Shelton, the top seed, in what will be his eighth ATP Tour-level final.

The pair last met in the US Open quarter-finals, with Shelton winning in four sets to make his first Grand slam semi-final.

The American edged out Australian James Duckworth (6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-5) and won against Australian Jordan Thompson, the No 6 seed (7-6 (8), 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Houston tournament, Darderi, ranked No 72, won against American wildcard Denis Kudla (3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2), Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, the second seed (6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4)) and American Marcos Giron, the No 7 seed (6-0, 6-4).

Houston ATP 250, other semi-final result (River Oaks Country Club, clay, USD 742.350):

• Ben Shelton beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry (4): 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4