Johnson wins Houston title

Published by AAP

Steve Johnson; Getty Images

Steve Johnson has won the second ATP World Tour singles title of his career on home soil at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston.

The fourth-seeded American struggled with cramp at the end of his 6-4 4-6 7-6(5) victory over Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci.

Johnson, whose first title came on grass in Nottingham last year, won the opening set but then saw Bellucci draw level before going a break ahead in the decider.

However, Johnson fought back and sealed the win on his third match point after two hours and 24 minutes.

Johnson said he was worn out after returning from a Davis Cup tie in Australia earlier in the week.

“My body has just physically run out of gas after this week,” he told the ATP website.

“Coming in from Australia kind of put me behind the eight ball and then the nerves of trying to close out the final, a lot of factors go into cramping. I was very fortunate to get out of that.”

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