Ten Americans will compete in the second round of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club following Tuesday’s action. 

The 2022 edition of US Clay tied a Houston-era record for the most Americans in the second round. It is also the second time in the last three tournaments at River Oaks where 10 of the final 16 players were from the United States.

Former Ohio State All-American J.J. Wolf opened Tuesday’s play by upsetting No. 8 seed and fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-4. Wolf’s win at River Oaks gave him his first Tour-level victory on clay.  

“I wasn’t too worried about winning or losing. I was just enjoying it out here (at River Oaks),” Wolf said. “The fans are super into it and there are great, nice people here.” 

Steve Johnson, a two-time singles champion, faced a familiar opponent in friend Denis Kudla, winning a first round matchup at River Oaks in 2014. Johnson defeated Kudla 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the all-American battle to pick up his 10th win in his last 11 matches at River Oaks. 

Three-time ATP Tour finalist Frances Tiafoe capped off the Americans’ success at River Oaks in 2022 with a win over former NCAA singles champion from UCLA Marcos Giron 6-4, 6-4. Tiafoe seeks his first River Oaks quarterfinals when he takes on former semifinalist Pablo Cuevas on Thursday. 

Nick Kyrgios defeated an American on his way to the second round at River Oaks. After losing the first set, Kyrgios climbed back to knock off former NCAA champion from UCLA Mackenzie McDonald 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.