By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday October 22, 2021
American Jenson Brooksby cruised into the semifinals at Antwerp, where he has yet to drop a set.
Photo Source: TTV
American Jenson Brooksby continues to emerge a rising talent in the men’s game. The 20-year-old Sacramento native, who reached his first career final this summer at Newport and also made the second week of the US Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets, has made his way to the European Open semifinals at Antwerp on the strength of an impressive 7-5, 6-0 victory over World No.44 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
“I think having two matches in qualies definitely helped me get some matches under my belt here, so that was good,” the American told the crowd after his victory. I have kept progressing since.”
Brooksby had just one match against a Top-50 opponent under his belt prior to this season but he has earned six Top-50 wins in 2021, including two this week (the other was over Reilly Opelka in his opening match.
“The crowd was amazing – I didn’t expect this much energy out here, it was so cool.”
Brooksby, who will face Diego Schwartzman in the semifinals, improves to 15-6 on the season. He had a 1-2 record prior to the start of the season, and had finished 2020 with a ranking of 307.
But three challenger titles and numerous successes on tour have him at a projected ranking of 59 – he could crack the Top-50 if he wins the title.
Sinner is a Winner
It was another good day at the office for Jannik Sinner. Already a winner of three ATP title in 2021 the 20-year-old topped Arthur Rinderknech of France for his 40th win of the season. He will face South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, who was a 6-2 7-5 winner over Marton Fucsovics, in the semifinals.