In a thrilling night of semifinal tennis across multiple ATP tournaments, unseeded Jenson Brooksby delivered the biggest shock by toppling top-seeded Tommy Paul at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston. Brooksby, ranked 507th in the world, edged Paul in a dramatic 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (6) victory that lasted two hours and 48 minutes.
Brooksby, a former world No. 33, showed flashes of his former self as he overcame nerves and momentum swings to reach his first ATP Tour final. He led 4-1 in the deciding set before Paul rallied to level at 4-4. Both players traded service holds and breaks to force a tense tiebreaker, where Brooksby ultimately clinched victory after saving a match point and converting one of his own.
Despite Paul serving six aces, his five double faults proved costly. Brooksby, who had none, displayed grit and resilience throughout.
Brooksby will now face second-seeded Frances Tiafoe in Sunday’s final. Tiafoe, eyeing his fourth ATP title, dispatched fourth-seeded Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6 (3), dominating the tiebreak with an early 4-1 lead and sealing the match on his first match point.
Meanwhile, at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, top-seeded Tallon Griekspoor reached the final with a composed 7-5, 7-6 (3) win over Polish wild card Kamil Majchrzak. Griekspoor fired 10 aces and hit 27 winners, saving 4 of 5 break points in the process.
He will face seventh-seeded Luciano Darderi in the final. The Italian stormed past fifth-seeded Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-2 with a dominant performance, tallying a 22-5 winner advantage. Darderi will be seeking his second career title, while Griekspoor chases his third.
Over in Bucharest at the Tiriac Open, top seed Sebastian Baez made quick work of Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, winning 6-2, 6-2. Baez saved all six break points and capitalized on Fucsovics’ 37 unforced errors, despite hitting only nine winners himself. Baez will be going for his eighth ATP title.
His opponent will be third-seeded Flavio Cobolli of Italy, who surged past Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 6-0 behind a remarkable 20 aces. Cobolli is now just one match away from claiming his first career ATP title.
With thrilling semifinals wrapped up, Sunday’s finals promise high-stakes action across three continents as rising stars and seasoned pros vie for championship glory.
