Jenson Brooksby is one win away from picking up the first title of his career after defeating the top seeded Tommy Paul, his American compatriot, to make the final of the US Clay Court Championships at Houston, where he will face another countryman, Frances Tiafoe, the second seed.
I think regardless of what happens tomorrow, it’s a huge positive for me this week. Huge, Jenson Brooksby
The 24-year-old Californian, who suffered an 18-month ban for missing three consecutive drug tests in 2023 after undergoing wrist surgery, returned to the tour this year and is currently ranked 507 having been as high as 33 back in 2022.
In view of his ranking, he had to play through the qualifying competition to make the main draw and has made the most of his opportunities, taking down Taro Daniel, the third seeded Alexandro Tabilo, and Alexander Kovacevic to make the semis where he batted his way past the more fancied Paul, 7-6(5) 3-6 7-6(6) to reach his fourth final.
In that run he saved a match point in the first round, three more in round two and one more in his match with Paul.
“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 match itself was marred by rain delays, and it was Paul who took control in the second set after the last of them to force a deciding set. There Brooksby showed the gritty spirit which had seen him reach the last four of the 250 level tournament. He led twice by a break but Paul fought back to go ahead and set up a chance of serving out in the 12th game only to falter. Paul held a match point at 6-5 in the tiebreak but couldn’t respond to a jamming second serve from Brooksby who then squeezed through to meet Tiafoe.
“I think regardless of what happens tomorrow, it’s a huge positive for me this week. Huge,” Brooksby acknowledged. “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.”
Meanwhile Tiafoe, the 2023 Houston champion, will be playing in the final for the third consecutive year after dispatching the fourth seeded Brandon Nakashima 6-4 7-6(3) in one hour, 42 minutes.
“I thought I played pretty well tonight,” Tiafoe said. “Tough, tough conditions. Really tough winds on this side of the court, we were both struggling to hold serve. But I thought I came out with great energy and it’s again just having fun out here and playing really well my first tournament on clay. I really love playing here in Houston.”
Tiafoe is the fourth player to make at least three straight championship matches in Houston, joining Jimmy Connors (1976-79), Andre Gomez (1983-1986), and Andy Roddick (2001-05).
Last year, Tiafoe lost a three-set final to Ben Shelton but the 27-year-old trails Brooksby 0-2 from their previous meetings which makes the final even more intriguing.
Tallon Griekspoor is aiming to get a ‘set’ of titles!
(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
In Marrakech, Tallon Griekspoor, the top seed from Holland is hoping to lift the Grand Prix Hassan II trophy for his third title, his first on clay. An overall victory would see him winning titles on all three surfaces. Currently, he is the seventh Dutchman to have made the finals of tournaments on all three surfaces – clay, hard, and grass.
Griekspoor overcame the Polish qualifier Kamil Majchrzak 7-5 7-6(3) in Marrakech, rallying from 3-5 in the first set to take control of the semi-final clash. He saved the only three break points of the second set before completing his one hour, 48-minute triumph in the tie-break.
“I’m very happy with the win. Obviously, it’s always nice to qualify for a final, it doesn’t happen every week,” the 28-year-old Dutchman said. “I’m happy with the performance today; it was a very tough match. I was a break down in the first set, saved a couple of break points deep in the second. I’m very pleased with the way I played and the win today.”
Griekspoor will take on Italy’s Luciano Darderi, the seventh seed, who comfortably downed the 2023 winner and 2024 finalist from Spain, Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 6-2.
The 23-year-old Darderi, currently ranked 57, is chasing the second title of his career and if successful, could break into the top 50.
However, Griekspoor, ranked 34, holds a 2-0 record against Darderi, so the odds currently favor the Dutchman.
Sebastian Baez will have his hands full
(Photo by RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP via Getty Images)
Over in Bucharest the final of the Tiriac Open pitches Argentina’s Sebastian Baez against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli.
Both made light work of their semi-final opponents, literally hardly breaking a sweat.
Top seeded Baez halted 2024 champion Marton Fucsovics’ eight match winning streak in Bucharest by sweeping him aside 6-2 6-2 in just 84 minutes.
“It’s my first time here, so I’m happy to be here and to play at this level,” Baez said. “I think today I played very well, so I’m happy to be in the final. I will talk to my coach about the good things and the bad things, try to recover and we will see how it goes tomorrow.”
Third seed Cobolli not only matched Baez’s performance, but made it even more definitive, defeating Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur 6-3 6-0 in just 64 minutes.
“I think I’m starting to like this court and this country,” Cobolli, who was roared on by plenty of Italian fans, said. “Every match I play here, I feel like I’m at home.”
Sunday’s final will be the first meeting between the pair with Baez ranked 36 and Cobolli 45. It should be a close affair.
