Tournament preview: Houston, 8-16 April 2006 US MEN'S CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS Red clay in the USA? The US is not exactly renowned for clay court tennis, and you could be forgiven for thinking it was all about the hardcourts. However, believe it or not, every April Houston hosts the US Men's Clay Court Championships played outdoors on red clay. Along with Valencia in Spain, it kicks off what is otherwise the European clay season leading up to the French Open at the end of May. Last year, the event was won by American world number 4, Andy Roddick, despite the fact that clay is not his favourite surface. Roddick will be back in 2006 to defend his title, hoping to improve his claycourt game. He will be joined by compatriots Robby Ginepri, semifinalist at last year's US Open, and James Blake, who is currently at a career high ranking of 8 after reaching the final at Indian Wells last month. However, being a clay tournament, it also attracts a high number of European and South American players, including Florida resident, Tommy Haas, from Germany. Haas is one of the 2 players who can boast a win against Federer in 2006 (at Kooyong) and will be looking for a positive performance here to improve his ranking further before heading over to Europe. Peru's Luis Horna has also experienced some good fortune in 2006, winning his first career title in Acapulco in early March. Clearly no stranger to clay, he will be hoping to notch up a second title here in Houston. Fellow South American, Juan Monaco will also be playing here. The rising youngster from Argentina reached the semifinals at Costa do Sauipe in February and last year was the finalist in Casablanca. He could also do some damage at this tournament if he's playing well. Spaniards Fernando Vicente, Albert Montańés and Oscar Hernandez decided to forgo their home tournament in Valencia and come to Houston and will be joined by 2003 Australian Open finalist Rainer Schüttler, promising Serb Janko Tipsarevic and other Americans Paul Goldstein, Vince Spadea and Bobby Reynolds. The wildcards for this year's event have been given to locals Jesse Witten and Mardy Fish, as well as bubbly Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, whose popularity has skyrocketed after his fairytale run at the Australian Open where he defied all odds to reach the final. He will undoubtedly light up Houston as well with his vibrant personality. As usual, qualifying will start on the Saturday before the tournament (8th April) and the main draw will get underway on Monday 10 April. Daily play commences at 1pm and night sessions at 7pm. The final on Sunday will start at 12.30pm. Tickets cost around $30 and more information can be found by visiting http://www.mensclaycourt.com/tkts.html. Houston is no stranger to the world of tennis, with the Westside Tennis Club also hosting the ATP Masters Cup in 2003 and 2004. For more information about the city, visit the Houston City Guide http://www.houston-guide.com/ and get ready for some red clay action in the US of A. Tournament Fast Facts: Venue: Westside Tennis Club, Houston, USA Dates: 8 - 16 April 2006 Singles Qualifying draw: 32 Main Draw Singles: 32 Main Draw Doubles: 16 Surface: Outdoor clay Prize money: $355 000 Tournament Director: Kris Young Main Draw Entry List: Roddick, Andy USA Ginepri, Robby USA Blake, James USA Haas, Tommy GER Horna, Luis PER Monaco, Juan ARG Goldstein, Paul USA Melzer, Jurgen AUT Berlocq, Carlos ARG Spadea, Vincent USA Daniel, Marcos BRA Vicente, Fernando ESP Montanes, Albert ESP Minar, Ivo CZE Schuettler, Rainer GER Tipsarevic, Janko SCG Behrend, Tomas GER Marin, Juan Antonio CRC Waske, Alexander GER Capdeville, Paul CHI Vanek, Jiri CZE Reynolds, Bobby USA Marach, Oliver AUT Hernandez, Oscar ESP (WC) Fish, Mardy USA (WC) Baghdatis, Marcos CYP (WC) Witten, Jesse USA Alternates: Sabau, Razvan ROM Kunitsyn, Igor RUS Koubek, Stefan AUT Berrer, Michael GER Mazarakis, Vasilis GRE Gabashvili, Teimuraz RUS Delgado, Ramon PAR Navarro Pastor, Ivan ESP Gremelmayr, Denis GER Luczak, Peter AUS