The Bryan Brothers and Feliciano Lopez have both committed to playing the only United States-based clay court tournament on the ATP World Tour next year. The players will take part in 2016's U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston, Texas.
Bryans Bring Big Name Appeal To Doubles Draw
The Bryan Brothers are the latest entrants into next year's U.S. Men's Clay Court Champuonships. The American twins will be taking part in the Houston-based event for the 14th time. Mike and Bob have won the tournament five times with the most recent title coming in 2014. They are 32-8 lifetime at the event. The brothers were upset in Houston last season in the quarterfinals by Ricardas Berankis and Temuraz Gabashvili 7-6 (7), 7-5.
Singles Field Gets First Commitment
Feliciano Lopez is the first player to be announced as taking part in the singles draw at the tournament. Lopez will be playing in Houston for just the fourth time. The Spaniard lost in the quarterfinals last year to Sam Querrey. His best showing at the tournament came back in his first appearance in 2012 when he made the semifinals. He lost a tough three set match to eventual runner-up John Isner that year. Lopez heads into 2016 approaching a career milestone as he needs just four wins to reach 400 for his career.
Photo: Mutua Madrid Open
More Players Should Be Added Soon
The full field of players for the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships will be released in February. The event is scheduled to take place at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston from April 4th to the 10th. Tournament organizers say they expect to announce more players who will participate in the coming weeks. No announcement has been made if defending champion Jack Sock will be one of those players. Sock's win over Sam Querrey in 2014 was his first career ATP World Tour title.