Miami (AFP) – Top seed Tommy Paul was upset by qualifier Jenson Brooksby in the semi-final of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston on Saturday. The 24-year-old staved off match point as he produced a 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) win over fellow American Paul, ranked 13th in the world.
Brooksby has made a habit of saving match point in this tournament; he did so in the first round of qualifying and then fought off three match points in the second round of the main draw. The match was blighted by several lengthy rain delays and concluded seven and a half hours after it began when Brooksby’s backhand return winner secured the tie-break win in the third.
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“I’ve been able to recall a lot of those (match point) moments this tournament and I think I’ve gotten stronger as each of those have gone on,” said Brooksby, who is ranked 50th in the world. “I’m just really pleased with how I’ve kept my mental composure here the whole week so far,” he said.
Brooksby will face another American in Sunday’s final — either second-seed Francis Tiafoe or fourth-seed Brandon Nakashima, who were playing later on Saturday. “I think regardless of what happens tomorrow, it’s a huge positive for me this week. Huge. I’m proud of the work I’ve put in,” he said.
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