Houston, TX, USA, 7 April 2014 | tennis.com.au

Australians Lleyton Hewitt and Matt Ebden will kick off their 2014 claycourt seasons when they contest this week’s US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, Texas.

Aiming to join them in the main draw of the ATP 250 event is 17-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis, the young Aussie having already won two matches in the qualifying draw.

In the final round of qualifying, Kokkinakis will battle former world No.15 Robby Ginepri of the United States.

Another Aussie youngster, Jason Kubler, also performed strongly in qualifying, ousting Wayne Odesnik in straight sets in the first round before falling to Takanyi Garanganga of Zimbabwe.

Hewitt is seeded seventh in Houston and will face a qualifier in his first round match.

American Sam Querrey potentially looms in the second round, while top seed and world No.9 John Isner is his projected quarterfinal opponent.

In the bottom half of the draw, Ebden faces Colombian Santiago Giraldo, with the winner moving on to a second round battle with No.2 seed Tommy Robredo.

Rounding out the top four seeds are Spaniards Nicolas Almagro and Fernando Verdasco.

Rogowska heads to Colombia

Australian No.3 Olivia Rogowska is also in action this week, having entered the draw at the WTA International event in Bogota, Colombia.

Rogowska will tackle Canada’s Sharon Fichman in the opening round of the claycourt event.

The winner faces a likely second round battle with second seed Sloane Stephens of the United States.

World No.8 Jelena Jankovic is the top seed and defending champion.