Jenson Brooksby saved match point in the first round of qualifying, three of them in the second round of the main draw and on Saturday evening, he fought off another match point en route to upsetting top seed Tommy Paul 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) in the semi-finals of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship.
The 24-year-old American’s smiled after hitting a backhand return winner to seal his place in the final said it all. The qualifier had just weathered literal storms in Texas and an always game Paul to reach his fourth ATP Tour championship match.
“I’ve been able to recall a lot of those moments this tournament,” Brooksby said of his match point saves. “And I think I’ve gotten stronger as each of those have gone on. I’m just really pleased with how I’ve kept my mental composure here the whole week so far.”
The No. 507 in the PIF ATP Rankings became the sixth tour-level finalist ranked outside the world’s Top 500 since 1990 and the second qualifier to reach the final of the tournament since it moved to Houston in 2001. Mariano Zabaleta also achieved the feat in 2007 before falling to Ivo Karlovic.
With all the pressure on him, Brooksby landed a deep second serve, jamming Paul to force an error. Although he lost serve five times according to Infosys ATP Stats, the qualifier claimed a spot in the final against second seed Frances Tiafoe.
“I think regardless of what happens tomorrow, it’s a huge positive for me this week. Huge,” Brooksby said. “I’m proud of the work I’ve put in, even last year heading into this year, and how I’ve responded every week, no matter if it was a worse week or a good week. Just excited for tomorrow.”
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