Jenson Brooksby completes dramatic run to first ATP Tour title in Houston

Jenson Brooksby fought off five match points across three different matches last week in Houston, but the 24-year-old American left nothing to chance in Sunday's final.

The qualifying wild card capped a dramatic run to his first ATP Tour title with an emphatic 6-4, 6-2 victory against compatriot Frances Tiafoe after saving a match point against Tommy Paul in a 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6) semifinal. Brooksby also survived a match point against him in the first qualifying round and three against third seed Alejandro Tabilo in the main-draw second round. He beat each of the top three seeds in Houston, with Paul seeded first and Tiafoe second.

"Thank you to my team. All the way from qualifying, match point down," Brooksby said during the trophy ceremony. "That's pretty intense, so thanks for sticking with it, every match, every day here for me."

Brooksby and Tiafoe emerged from an all-American quarterfinal lineup in Houston, the first time since 1991 (Orlando) that Americans swept the quarterfinal places at an ATP Tour event.

"The support has been amazing since Round 1 of qualifying," added Brooksby, who is now 3-3 against Top 20 players this season. "Thank you, everybody. I've loved the support here and it's great to be back in Texas."

In a final full of shotmaking, Brooksby clinched the opening set by hitting a half-volley drop shot as he fell to the floor, then later ripped a backhand passing shot to seal the decisive break for 4-2 in the second frame. Tiafoe dug out of a 4-0 hole to start the match, leveling the opening set at 4-4, only for Brooksby to win eight of the final 10 games.