World no. 507 Jenson Brooksby is through to his fourth ATP final in Houston, the first since the summer of 2022! Jenson faced the top seed Tommy Paul in the semi-final and prevailed 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 in two hours and 42 minutes.
Brooksby prevailed over rain and his opponent to reach the title clash and embrace his strongest campaign since returning to action. Paul overcame a 5-2 deficit in the opener before falling in the tie break. The top seed played well in the second set and forced a decider.
He erased a 4-1 deficit and served for the win at 6-5 following a late break. However, Jenson pulled the break back and introduced a tie break. He denied a match point at 5-6 and prevailed 8-6 for a massive celebration.
Paul claimed eight points more than his rival, but not the crucial ones. The more experienced American delivered more efficient numbers behind the first and second serve. Tommy produced five breaks and still finished on the losing side after dropping serve four times.
The top seed attacked and finished the duel on a 36-54 ratio. He forged a 22-point lead in service winners and at the net, while Brooksby outplayed him from the baseline and remained in contention. Jenson denied three break points early on and grabbed a break in the second game for a 3-0 lead.
He served for the opener at 5-3 and played a loose forehand to drop serve and keep his rival in contention. Paul created two break points in the 11th game, and world no. 507 saved them with fine hitting. Tommy saved a set point on serve at 5-6 and introduced a tie break.
Tommy led 5-2 before Jenson turned the tables. The younger American drew the rival's mistake at 5-5 and seized a set point after the rival's backhand error for 6-3 in 63 minutes. They served well in the opening five games of the second set.
Paul stepped in on the return in game six and landed a forehand winner for a break and 4-2. He saved a break point in game seven and landed a service winner at 5-3 for a hold at love, forcing a decider after an hour and 38 minutes.
We saw three consecutive breaks at the beginning of the final set. Brooksby provided two and moved 3-1 up after Tommy's loose forehand. The top seed pulled the break back in the seventh game and saved two break points in the next one for more drama.
Paul attacked on the return at 5-5 and drew the rival's error for a break, moving in front and serving for the win. Jenson kept his composure and painted a backhand down the line winner in the 12th game for a break and a boost.
The top seed landed a forehand crosscourt winner in the eighth pointand secured another mini-break with a fine attack. Brooksby pulled the mini-break back in the tenth point before facing a match point. Jenson denied it with a risky second serve and a service winner.
World no. 507 drew the rival's mistake for 7-6 and a match point. Brooksby landed a backhand down the line return winner, sealing the deal in style and booking a place in the title clash.
