By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday July 30, 2022

 

Jenson Brooksby eased past Frances Tiafoe to reach his third career final in Atlanta.

Photo Source: Getty

Jenson Brooksby took control of his semifinal with Frances Tiafoe in Atlanta early on, and never looked back. The American rode a hot serving hand, never faced a break point, and sailed to a 6-1 6-4 triumph over the 24-year-old World No.29.



He will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur, the 2019 champion, in Sunday’s final.

De Minaur came through the first semifinal on Saturday, defeating Ilya Ivashka, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

“I thought I started off really strong today, really physical, really fired up,” said Brooksby.

Brooksby continues to dominate his compatriots on tour – he improved to 8-2 lifetime against is fellow Americans, and 7-1 against them on hard courts.

Brooksby isn’t known for his serving but he was flawless from the stripe on Saturday, winning all but 15 points on serve, with seven of them coming in the final game when Tiafoe earned his only break point and saved five match points before the American finally converted No.6 to close the contest in one hour and 35 minutes.

“I was just trying to stay focused and relaxed on what I am trying to do out there, and I was glad to battle through that second set.”

Brooksby seemed a little flustered after struggling with nerves in the final game against Tiafoe. It was really the only game that he was pushed while serving.

“I’m not gonna lie,” he said. “I kind of want to go hit some balls right now.”

Brooksby improves to 18-12 on the season and he will bid for his maiden title on Sunday. He lost his two previous finals, at Newport last year, and at Dallas earlier this season.

De Minaur, who is 31-16 on the season, will bid for his sixth title.