Jenson Brooksby is the miracle man at the US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston.

The Sacramento native has saved match points three times to reach the final – one in the first round of qualifying, two in his second-round win over Alejandro Tabilo and one today against Tommy Paul to reach his first final since 2022.



Brooksby will face 2023 champion Frances Tiafoe, who took out Brandon Nakashima for the title on Sunday, 6-4, 7-6(3).

Tiafoe has reached the final in Houston for three years running now, and is 0-2 lifetime against Brooksby.

Brooksby prevailed through a prolonged rain delay in the second set to come through against top-seeded Paul, 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6). The semifinal started at 1PM but did not end until around 830 PM local time.

Paul had a match point with Brooksby serving at 5-6 in the final set tiebreak, but the Sacramento native made a perfect second serve and proceeded to win the final three points of the match, crushing a clean backhand winner to close the contest.

“I'm just really pleased with how I've kept my mental composure here the whole week so far,” Brooksby said on court after the win.

Brooksby is the first qualifier to reach the final in Houston since 2007. He held his nerve even as Paul rallied from a break down twice in the decider.

No. 507-ranked Brooksby is coming back to tour this year after missing most of 2023 and 2024 due to a doping suspension as well as two wrist surgeries.

The former World No.33 recently reached the third round at Indian Wells, earning a win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round.

He is up to 221 in the live rankings after Saturday’s win.

“I think regardless of what happens tomorrow, it's a huge positive for me this week. Huge,” Brooksby said. “I’m proud of the work I've put in, even last year heading into this year, and how I've responded every week, no matter if it was a worse week or a good week. Just excited for tomorrow.”