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Match Details
Fixture: (2) Frances Tiafoe vs Adam Walton
Date: TBD
Tournament: U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships
Round: Second Round
Venue: River Oaks Country Club, Houston, Texas
Category: ATP 250
Surface: Maroon Clay (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $661,585
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN
Frances Tiafoe vs Adam Walton preview
Frances Tiafoe will open his 2025 Houston campaign with a second-round encounter against Adam Walton on Thursday.
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Tiafoe, the second seed at this year’s tournament, is in desperate need of some match wins after having endured a slow start to the season. He has yet to win back-to-back matches in 2025 and holds a 6-6 win-loss record.
Playing at home in Miami and Indian Wells also failed to bring much joy to the American, who lost in the Round of 32 at both events. He will look to turn over a new leaf on clay.
Walton, meanwhile, comes into the contest fresh off his best run at an ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami. A lucky loser, he beat the likes of Coleman Wong and Luciano Darderi to make it to the fourth round.
The run in Miami not only helped Walton improve his season’s win-loss to 3-7 but also achieve a career-best ranking of No. 81.
Frances Tiafoe vs Adam Walton head-to-head
Tiafoe leads Walton in the head-to-head 1-0, having beaten him in Brisbane earlier this year.
Frances Tiafoe vs Adam Walton odds
(Odds will be updated when available.)
Frances Tiafoe vs Adam Walton prediction
Given the huge gulf in world rankings and the level of experience, Frances Tiafoe will be the favorite to win on paper. His recent form, however, will be an area of concern.
Luckily for the American, Houston has been a happy hunting ground as he lifted the trophy here in 2023. Besides his obvious weapons, the serve and the forehand, Tiafoe’s biggest strength is his athleticism, which is greatly rewarded on clay.
Against Adam Walton, another big server and powerful ball-striker, he will need to find that extra bit of energy to chase down a few extra balls.
The Aussie is not the most comfortable on clay as evident in his opener against Michael Mmoh where he dropped serve on four occasions. He will need to be better prepared to take on Tiafoe, who does not give away too many free points.
Walton’s form would inspire some confidence, but Tiafoe’s familiarity with the surface and superior experience may help him edge this one.
Prediction: Tiafoe in three sets.
