Opelka wins in Houston

Final day in Houston.

2022 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships - an ATP 250 tournament, on Maroon Clay, in Houston, Texas, USA, 2-10 April 2022.

Event not held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID 

Defending champion (2019):

Cristian Garin who defeated Casper Ruud 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3

Final:

Reilly Opelka (3) (USA) v John Isner (4) (USA)

Isner won the first battle between the pair, but that was back in 2016. Opelka won the next four, including a semi final in Dallas in February this year.

Isner had won 16 titles from 29 finals before this one, the most recent in Atlanta July 2021.

Opelka had won 3 titles from 5 finals before this one, the most recent in Dallas February 2022.

In the fifth game of set one, Opelka saved a break point before holding.

In the eighth game Isner was down 0-40 but came back to deuce. However, he fell to a fourth break point and Opelka would serve for the set.

The third seed had no trouble and won the set 6-3.

In set two, Opelka saved break points in his first four service games, but there were no service breaks, and a tie break was required.

The fourth point was won by Opelka off an Isner serve, and the sixth point was won by Isner off an Opelka serve. 3-3.

The tenth point was won by Isner with a great return, and gave him two set points, Opelka saved one with his own serve, and the other saved thanks to  equally good returning from him. 6-6.

Serving at 7-8, and facing match point, Isner couldn’t handle an Opelka return, and the match was over.

Reilly Opelka won the title 6-3 7-6(7).