Persistent rain cancels play for third day in a row at the Houston Open

Only one match was able to be completed on Friday at the Houston Open as organisers announced they would try to protect the playing surface for a busy weekend of action.

It was the third day in a row that has been washed out due to persistent rain, but after completing their first set on Wednesday, and their second set on Thursday, Max Purcell was allowed to finish off his 6-4 3-6 6-3 win over Daniel Altmaier.

It was the final first-round matchup yet to conclude, although there is still a second round, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final to schedule in limited time before the ATP Tour rolls on.

The tournament's top seed, Frances Tiafoe, is yet to play a match yet after receiving a first-round bye, and it is the same case for second seed Tommy Paul.

In a statement, tournament director Bronwyn Greer said: "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."

Purcell completes round one ... four days later!Defeating Altmaier 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 tomorrow he will face Etcheverry. #USClay | @MaxPurcell98 pic.twitter.com/J1ntjORDYY
— Fayez Sarofim & Co. US Clay (@mensclaycourt) April 7, 2023