The Baseline Player of the Week: Steve Johnson

On Sunday, Steve Johnson became the first player to defend the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston in 16 years. He defeated first-time ATP finalist Tennys Sandgren, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-4.

Johnson had to swallow and move pass a few missed opportunities to end the match earlier.

This is the 28-year-old's third ATP title, and he was thrilled to get to do better on his championship-winning dive in the pool. Not since Andy Roddick in 2001-02 has a player managed to win back-to-back titles in Houston.

Winning on court will soon be eclipsed when Johnson marries his girlfriend Kendall Bateman on Saturday. Fellow American players John Isner, Sam Querrey and Dennis Kudla will serve as groomsmen.

"Now it's all wedding stuff," Johnson said after the match. "I'll go home, take a few days to relax, go golf a little bit in Palm Springs."

Of course, this means Johnson is absent from the loaded ATP Masters 1000 draw in Monte Carlo this week.

This Week on Tennis Channel Plus:

ATP Monte Carlo (4/15-4/22)

-Tennis Channel Plus has multi-court coverage of the 2018 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters beginning Sunday April 16 at 7:00 AM ET, first to last ball!

WTA Dothan (4/17-4/22)

-Don’t miss the Hardee’s Pro Classic featuring Taylor Townsend and Madison Brengle live on Tennis Channel Plus beginning April 17 at 11:00 AM ET

Fed Cup (4/21-4/22)

-Tennis Channel Plus is your home for Fed Cup action! Watch live ties between USA vs. France and Germany vs. Czech Republic beginning at 6:00 AM ET on Saturday April 21

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