Houston, we have a problem. A weather-related issue to be specific.
On Friday, organizers at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship were forced to call off play for a third day running due to persistent rain. A first-rounder that saw Max Purcell claim two games in finishing off Daniel Altmaier, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, on Court 7 was the lone action any spectators saw on the grounds. More rain was forecast to hit Friday evening.
“We have had several inches of rain in the past two days that have saturated our courts and these unseasonably cool temperatures are slowing down the drying process,” tournament director Bronwyn Greer said in a released statement.
“We want to ensure that our courts are in the best possible condition to complete our tournament this weekend, and with that in mind we have decided to forgo play today with the exception of that first-round match that is deep into the third set.”