HOUSTON (AP) — Ginapi ni fourth-seeded Steve Johnson si top-seeded Jack Sock 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, nitong Sabado (Linggo sa Manila) sa all-American semifinal ng U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.

Nakamit ni Johnson ang tanging ATP Tour sa nakalipas na taon sa Nottingham, England.

Makakaharap niya sa Finals si eighth-seeded Thomaz Bellucci ng Brazil, namayani kay American Ernesto Escobedo, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

“I just got lucky in the end,” sambit ng 27-anyos na si Johnson, two-time national collegiate champion sa University of Southern California.

'Pikon daw?' UAAP fan na nag-dirty finger, agaw-eksena sa San Juan Arena!

“He missed some first serves and a couple forehands, which is abnormal for him, and I just took my chances and was able to get it. This is great, my first final on U.S. soil. It’s fun to give myself a chance.”

Nitong nakalipas na linggo, magkasangga ang sina Johnson at Sock sa doubles event ng U.S. Davis Cup team kontra sa Australia. Nagwagi ang Aussies.

“Whomever I’m playing, it’s business,” sambit ni Johnson, natalo ng apat sa huling limang pagtutuos kay Sock sa ATP World Tour match. “That’s sports. You’re going to play guys you’re buddies with. You’ve got to put it aside and go about your business.”

Napagwagihan ni Sock ang kampeonato noong 2015 edition sa Forest Oaks at sumegunda sa nakalipas na taon.

“He played well at the end and deserved to win. He does what he does. He slices his return well and puts some in the corners,” aniya.

Nakamit ng 20-anyos na si Escobedo, wild-card entry sa torneo ang semifinal slot, nang pabagsakin ang kababayang si John Isner, ang 2013 champion at No. 2 seed.

“I learned a lot of things this week, like that I can play on the clay,” sambit ni Escobedo. “I like it a lot. It’s fun. I’m enjoying myself on the court. So many players say it’s not their best surface so they just tank. I feel like I belong in the ATP. I think my game is there. I just have to keep working. It’s a long journey . . . I can’t wait for the future.”