Brooksby Stuns Paul in 3-Set Thriller, Advances to Face Tiafoe for Houston Title

Houston(The Uttam Hindu): Jenson Brooksby, a wildcard qualifier, pulled off a stunning 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) victory over top seed Tommy Paul in the semifinals of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship. The 24-year-old American became just the sixth tour-level finalist ranked outside the world’s Top 500 since 1990 and the second qualifier to reach the final in Houston since the tournament moved there in 2001. Mariano Zabaleta previously achieved the same feat in 2007 before losing to Ivo Karlovic. The match featured numerous breaks and lead changes in each set, with Brooksby ultimately emerging victorious after saving a match point in a tense third-set tiebreak.

Both players had to contend with unpredictable weather, leading to multiple interruptions during the match. Brooksby’s win handed Paul his first loss to an American player in 2025. It also marked Brooksby’s sixth straight win since his first-round qualifying victory last Saturday. Brooksby has now saved five match points in three of his six matches, spending a total of 13 hours and 20 minutes on court this week. Brooksby will now face No. 2 seed Frances Tiafoe, the 2023 US Clay champion and 2024 finalist, in Sunday’s final.

If Brooksby wins the title, he will become the lowest-ranked champion in US Clay history. With his finals appearance, Brooksby is projected to rise to at least No. 220 in the ATP rankings, a significant improvement after just six matches. Tiafoe advanced to his third consecutive US Clay final by defeating No. 4 seed Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6. The 27-year-old has been in exceptional form at River Oaks, winning 10 of his last 11 matches there, and holds a 12-5 lifetime record at the venue, the most wins by any active ATP player.