HOUSTON – The Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship has released its initial entry list of 19 players for 2016. The list includes the tournament’s last four champions in Jack Sock (2015), Fernando Verdasco (2014), John Isner (2013) and Juan Monaco (2012).
“We could not be more excited to about the ATP stars in our lineup to play at River Oaks in April,” said Tournament Director Bronwyn Greer. ”With four former champions and five players in the Top 25 of the rankings, this field has great depth. It is also a great honor to welcome players from 11 different countries to Houston for the tournament.”
Below is the initial entry list of 19 players who have signed up to the play the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship April 4-10 at River Oaks Country Club. (Number preceding name is current Emirates ATP Ranking. Following name are the player’s tournament highlights.)
11 – John Isner (USA) Eight appearances – 2013 Champion, 2012 Finalist
14 – Kevin Anderson (South Africa) Four appearances – 2015 semifinalist
20 – Benoit Paire (France) First appearance
23 – Jack Sock (USA) Three appearances – 2015 Champion
24 – Feliciano Lopez (Spain) Three appearances – 2012 semifinalist
34 – Steve Johnson (USA) Three appearances – 2014-15 second round
40 – Leonardo Mayer (Argentina) One appearance – 2009 first round
43 – Sam Querrey (USA) Seven appearances – 2010, 2015 Finalist
52 – Paolo Lorenzi (Italy) Three appearances – 2014 quarterfinalist
57 – Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) Two appearances – 2006 second round
59 – Fernando Verdasco (Spain) Three appearances – 2014 Champion
61 – John Millman (Australia) First appearance
64 – Denis Kudla (USA) One appearance – 2014 first round
66 – Hyeon Chung (Korea) One appearance – 2015 second round
68 – Juan Monaco (Argentina) Five appearances – 2012 Champion
74 – Victor Estrella Burgos (Dominican Republic) One appearance – 2015 first round
79 – Donald Young (USA) Five appearances – 2014 quarterfinalist
83 – Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) First appearance
84 – Mikhail Kukushkin (Kazakhstan) One appearance – 2010 second round
Fabio Fognini, who had previously been announced as playing the tournament, will not be able to participate following an ab injury suffered during last week’s tournament in Rio de Janeiro.
The initial entry list of 19 is just part of the 28-player field. Three players will be granted wild cards. Four others will gain entry by winning two rounds during the qualifying tournament that takes place April 2-3 at River Oaks. Two other spots are held as special exempts, designated for players who are meant to play qualifying but cannot due their performance in the previous week’s tournament.
An initial entry list for qualifying will be released the week of March 14, while the doubles entry list will be released the week of March 21.
Tickets for individual sessions as well as the Champs Pass, which includes tickets to the final three days of the tournament, are on sale now. More information can be found at www.usmensclaycourt.com.
