Preview U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship Final: Frances Tiafoe’s experience vs Jenson Brooksby’s comeback

ATP
Sunday, 06 April 2025 at 15:28
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Frances Tiafoe and Jenson Brooksby headline the final of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, in a tournament dominated by local players, with all eight quarter-finalists being Americans. Big Foe comes in with the edge of experience in these types of matches, and his strong track record in Houston makes him a very intimidating opponent.

However, Brooksby arrives with confidence sky-high. He saved three match points against third seed Alejandro Tabilo and another one in the semifinals against Tommy Paul. After spending over 13 hours on court this week, he’ll now aim for his first professional title and a swift return to the Top 200.

Brooksby aims his first ATP title

It hasn’t taken Jenson Brooksby long to find his level again, stringing together six straight wins in Houston after coming through the qualifying rounds. After an easy opening win against Taro Daniel, the 24-year-old American saved three match points in a third-set tiebreak to upset third seed Tabilo, rallying from 3–6 down to win 8–6.

That boost in confidence carried him past Aleksandar Kovacevic (2-6, 6-3, 6-4) and then the No. 1 seed Tommy Paul in the semifinals (7-6, 3-6, 7-6), again saving a match point in the third set tiebreak. Ranked just World No. 507, Brooksby has already secured a climb to at least No. 221 and could break into the Top 180 if he lifts the trophy – all with just a handful of tournaments under his belt this season.

Brooksby returned to the tour this year after serving a one-year suspension, starting the season with no ATP points. What better way to mark a comeback than by winning his first career title? He lost all three previous finals he played (2021–22), though none of those were on clay.

Match Statistics Paul vs. Brooksby

Paul VS Brooksby
Service
3 Aces 0
3 Double Faults 1
46% (25/54) 1st Service Percentage 71% (41/58)
84% (21/25) 1st Service Points Won 71% (29/41)
81% (17/21) 2nd Service Points Won 53% (9/17)
50% (1/2) Break Points Saved 86% (6/7)
89% (8/9) Service Games 88% (7/8)
Return
29% (12/41) 1st Return Points Won 16% (4/25)
47% (8/17) 2nd Return Points Won 19% (4/21)
- Break Points Saved -
Other
1h 27m Match Duration 1h 27m

Tiafoe eyes second Houston title

Big Foe always seems to bring extra motivation when playing on home soil. Houston, in particular, has been a special venue for him: he won the title in 2023 (defeating Tomás Martín Etcheverry) and finished runner-up in 2024 to Ben Shelton. This marks his third straight final in Houston, as he goes for his fourth career title.

The former World No. 10 defeated Adam Walton (7-5, 6-3), Alex Michelsen (7-5, 6-1), and the always-tough Brandon Nakashima (6-3, 7-6) in the semifinals. Tiafoe needed just three matches to reach the final and hasn’t dropped a set, a potential advantage given the physical toll on his opponent.

Match Statistics Nakashima vs. Tiafoe

Nakashima VS Tiafoe
Service
6 Aces 4
1 Double Faults 1
67% (54/81) 1st Service Percentage 60% (36/60)
61% (33/54) 1st Service Points Won 69% (25/36)
32% (9/28) 2nd Service Points Won 54% (13/24)
50% (5/10) Break Points Saved 20% (1/5)
55% (6/11) Service Games 64% (7/11)
Return
31% (11/36) 1st Return Points Won 39% (21/54)
46% (11/24) 2nd Return Points Won 68% (19/28)
- Break Points Saved -
Other
1h 43m Match Duration 1h 43m

Against Nakashima, Tiafoe had to survive a flurry of breaks and nearly lost his grip on the match in the second set, but eventually closed it out in a tiebreak with quality shot-making to reach his third consecutive Houston final.

Brooksby has spent 13 hours and 31 minutes on court compared to Tiafoe’s 4 hours and 48 minutes, with half as many matches. On Houston’s clay, known for its long rallies, physical condition could be a deciding factor. Still, it’s Brooksby who leads the head-to-head 2-0 – both matches on hard courts and before his suspension.

Match Info: Jenson Brooksby - Frances Tiafoe

Start time (local): Not scheduled yet

Start time (your time): Not scheduled yet

Court: Stadium Court

Tournament: Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship

Round: Final

Head-to-Head
Brooksby Tiafoe
H2H Record
Total Wins 2 0
Win Streak 2 0
Ranking
Official Ranking - 17
Race Ranking 215 64
Live Ranking
Live Ranking - 18 (-1)
Live Race Ranking 75 (+145) 48 (+16)
Bios
Age 24 (26 Oct 2000) 27 (20 Jan 1998)
Birthplace Sacramento, California, United States Hyattsville, Maryland, US
Residence Carmichael, California, United States Orlando, Florida, US
Height - 6'2" (188cm)
Weight - 190lbs (86kg)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand) Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro - 2015
Coach Joseph Gilbert David Witt (July 2024-),
YTD W/L 9-6 (60%) 8-6 (57%)
YTD Titles - -
Career Titles 0 3
Prize Money US $2,230,394 US $13,474,884 -  62nd all-time in earnings
Past Meetings

J Brooksby d F Tiafoe

ATP Atlanta - Semifinal

6-1 | 6-4

31 Jul 2022

J Brooksby d F Tiafoe

ATP Washington - Round of 32

7-6 | 7-5

4 Aug 2021
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