Harrison, Blake, Dr. Ivo Today at U.S. Clay Courts in Houston

Only three main draw matches were on the docket Monday at the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston as No. 7 seed Pablo Cuevas lost only two games to Ricardo Mello, No. 8 Grigor Dimitrov did likewise against former Top 10er Rainer Schuettler, and Igor Andreev beat “Iron” Mike Russell 6-2, 6-3.
ADHEREL
Mardy Fish is the top seed at the event. Other seeds include Sam Querrey, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, John Isner, Benjamin Becker, and Kei Nishikori.

Americans went 1-for-3 in the final round of qualifying play on Monday as American Donald Young lost to Ivo Karlovic in straights, Americna Rajeev Ram lost to Chile’s Paul Capdeville in three, American Alex Bogomolov Jr. lost to Croat Franco Skugor in three, and American Tim Smyczek gained the main draw after defeating Canadian Frank Dancevic in three sets.

In last year’s final Querrey lost to veteran Juan Ignacio Chela.

Tuesday’s highlights in Houston are (5) Benjamin Becker vs. (Q) “Dr.” Ivo Karlovic, (WC) Ryan Harrison vs. Horacio Zeballos, (WC) James Blake vs. Carlos Berlocq, Robert Kendrick vs. Somdev Devvarman, (Q) Tim Smyczek vs. (WC) Ryan Sweeting in an all-American, and (Q) Franco Skugor vs. (6) Kei Nishikori.