HOUSTON, Texas (AFP) - American James Blake is hoping to carry the momentum from his Davis Cup victories over the ATP Tour which heads to Texas this week for the US Clay Court Championships.

The eighth-ranked player in the world, Blake captured a pair of singles wins in the U.S.'s 4-1 victory over France in the Davis Cup quarter-finals over the weekend.

Blake will turn his attention to dirt in preparation for the European clay court season.

Clay has been a difficult surface for the American, although Blake did show some signs of improvement with an appearance in the semifinal here last year. However, it did not translate over to the French Open, as the 28-year-old fell to Ivo Karlovic in the first round.

Blake is back to try again, opening against Kei Nishikori of Japan later in the week.

The second seed is Germany's Tommy Haas, who won this event in 2004.

Haas also will begin play later in the week, squaring off against Russia's Igor Kunitsyn.

Karlovic, the defending champion, is not entered in the draw.

In all, there are 11 Americans entered, including third seed Mardy Fish and fourth-seeded Sam Querrey. Both players will start first-round play later.

Rising star Donald Young posted a 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Spanish qualifier Fernando Vicente on Monday.

Also moving on was US wild card Hugo Armando with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Carlos Berlocq of Argentina.

In a matchup of Americans, Wayne Odesnik dispatched Amer Delic 6-3, 6-3.