Fish loses at U.S. Men’s Clay Court

Former champion Mardy Fish was a first-round loser Tuesday at the $500,000 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston.

Fish, who was seeded second, lost to German Bjorn Phau 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Fish won this tournament three years ago.

Sixth-seeded and defending champion Marcel Granollers of Spain avoided an upset by beating Argentine Brian Dabul 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. Granollers beat American James Blake in last year’s Houston finale.

Also, German Tommy Haas, the 2005 champion, defeated German Denis Gremelmayr 6-3, 6-3, while American John Isner beat countryman Michael Russell 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 and Sergio Roitman defeated fellow Argentine Agustin Calleri 6-3, 6-3.