Shelton makes first clay final in Houston

American Ben Shelton, the top seed, edged out Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the No 4 seed, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the final of the Houston Open at River Oaks Country Club on Saturday evening.

The match was full of entertainment, with both men displaying some brilliant shot-making across the two-and-a-half hour clash. Shelton now makes his first-ever clay final on the ATP Tour.

“The game just moves a little bit slower, you have more time to process,” said Shelton of the clay after his victory on Saturday night. “I tried to use that to my advantage today, really happy to be here in my first final in Houston.”

Shelton, ranked No 16, will play the winner of the match between American Frances Tiafoe, the No 3 seed, and Italian Luciano Darderi next.

The 21-year-old American beat Belgian Zizou Bergs (3-6, 6-4, 6-3) and Brandon Nakashima (7-5, 7-6 (9)) in the previous rounds of the Houston tournament.

Earlier in the tournament, Etcheverry, ranked No 30, won against Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan (6-4, 6-4) and American wildcard Michael Mmoh (6-3, 0-1 ret.).

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

• Frances Tiafoe vs. Luciano Darderi