Jenson Brooksby lifted his first ATP trophy at the ATP 250 event in Houston! The 24-year-old embraced a historic week in Houston, entering theU.S. Men's Clay Court Championship as world no. 507 and receiving the qualifying wild card.
Brooksby saved a match point in the first qualifying round and reached the main draw. He then denied three match points in the second round and another against Tommy Paul in the semi-final to enter the title clash.
Seeking his first ATP crown, Brooksby ousted a three-time Houston finalist Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 27 minutes for a career-best result and a massive celebration.
Jenson took 21 points more than Frances and outplayed the 2nd seed in the pivotal moments. The younger American served at 71% and made the difference behind the second serve. Brooksby saved four of six break points and transformed 53% of the return points into five breaks from six chances.
World no. 507 tamed his strokes nicely and landed 25 winners and 17 unforced errors. Tiafoe stood on a 16-26 ratio, trailing 18-5 in service winners and losing the edge from the baseline. A qualifier was off to a flying start, taking the opening four games in 14 minutes.
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Jenson held at love in the first game and painted a backhand down the line winner in the next one for a break point. Frances missed a backhand, losing serve and falling 2-0 behind. Brooksby provided another hold at love in the third game and cemented the advantage.
The 24-year-old cracked a forehand down the line winner in the fourth game for break chances and landed a forehand crosscourt return winner for a break and a massive advantage. Tiafoe claimed four straight points on the return in game five to pull one break back.
Jenson lost the ground a bit in those moments and struggled again in game seven. He placed a backhand wide on the fourth break point, losing serve for the second straight time and bringing his opponent back to the positive side.
Tiafoe landed a return winner in the ninth game and generated another break chance. He wasted it and allowed Brooksby to bring the game home and end his downfall. A qualifier landed a forehand crosscourt return winner at 5-4 for a set point.
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He landed a beautiful half-volley winner at the net, clinching the opener 6-4 in 49 minutes and gathering a massive boost. Frances saved a break point at 1-2 in the second set and closed it with a service winner to remain on the positive side.
Jenson grabbed the fifth game after a deuce and never looked back. He welcomed the rival's double fault in the sixth game and created a break chance. Brooksby painted a running backhand down the line winner for a break and a 4-2 advantage.
World no. 507 cemented the break with an ace in game seven, forcing his rival to serve to stay in the match. Frances missed a slice in the eighth game and offered his rival two match points. Jenson converted the first after Frances' loose backhand, sealing the deal and lifting his first ATP trophy at 24.
