MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Steve Johnson of the United States serves in his first round match against Denis Kudla of the United States on day two of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 16, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Defending champion Steve Johnson survives his opener in Houston. He advances with hopes of reaching the finals yet again.

American Steve Johnson fights back to win his opener at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships. Johnson defeats fellow countryman Ernesto Escobedo in three sets in order to advance at the event. After dropping the first set, the defending champion battles back to win a tiebreak in the second and cruise to victory in the third. Now, he squares off against up and comer Frances Tiafoe next in Houston. Johnson remains the favorite in his next match but the path to yet another title at the tournament does not get any easier.

Johnson defeats Escobedo, winning 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2. Next up is Tiafoe for the defending champion and this year’s sixth seed at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships.

Other Americans are in a position to make waves in Houston this week along with Johnson. John Isner is the favorite and top seed at the event. He and young American star Jack Sock are also former champions at the tournament. Isner enters as the top seed and Sock is the third seed on the men’s singles side. Isner is also fresh off of a title at the Miami Open. While the stars in American men’s singles tennis have seen slow starts to the 2018 ATP World Tour, the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships is shaping up to be a refresher for many of them.

Steve Johnson takes on 20-year-old Frances Tiafoe next in Houston. Tiafoe is coming off of a straight set victory over fellow American Mackenzie McDonald. Johnson and Tiafoe square off on Thursday.

It’s difficult to pick a favorite moving forward. An easy choice might seem like Isner given his recent success. Johnson, however, as the defending champion is also a strong choice. Sock, who is in need of a bounce back tournament, could reassert himself in Houston too. Then, on top of all that, Australian star Nick Kyrgios battles back during his opener to advance at the tournament. Kyrgios is the fourth seed and advances for a chance at a deep run this week. He already has one ATP singles title on the year and is attempting to rise yet again in the men’s singles rankings. Stay tuned to see how Steve Johnson and others fare throughout the rest of the ATP World Tour event this week in Houston.