HOUSTON/STARNBERG, April 6, 2025
Sunday’s title match at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship will mark a historic moment in US-American tennis. For the 11th time in the Open Era—and the third time in the past four years—the final will feature a showdown between two players from the United States, as Frances Tiafoe and Jenson Brooksby go head-to-head for the coveted title at River Oaks in Houston.
Tiafoe, the 2023 champion and 2024 finalist, continues to cement his legacy at this ATP Tour 250 tournament by beating Brandon Nakashima on Saturday. The 26-year-old becomes just the fourth player in event history to reach three consecutive finals, joining an elite group last matched by Andy Roddick from 2001 to 2005. Tiafoe, who has won 10 of his last 11 matches in Houston, is also the third active ATP player – alongside Novak Djokovic and Kei Nishikori – to reach three straight championship matches on clay. He will be playing in his 10th career ATP Tour final, seeking his fourth title, and stands second among active US-American men in total final appearances.
Got the job done ✅@mensclaycourt | #USClay | @FTiafoe pic.twitter.com/yqNhOwh34x
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 6, 2025
On the other side of the net, 23-year-old Brooksby has completed a remarkable underdog run, knocking out top seed Tommy Paul on Saturday. Entering the tournament ranked World No. 507 and needing to battle through qualifying, Brooksby is the first qualifier to reach the US Clay final since Mariano Zabaleta in 2007. If he wins on Sunday, he would become the first qualifier to lift the trophy since Fernando Gonzalez in 2000 – and the lowest-ranked champion in the tournament’s Open Era history. Already projected to climb to No. 220 in the ATP Rankings, a title would push him up to No. 170.
Brooksby’s path to the final has been nothing short of gritty. He’s saved five match points across six matches this week – one in qualifying, three in the second round, and one in Saturday’s dramatic semifinal. The final will be his fourth ATP Tour final, all on US-American soil, as he looks to capture his first career title.
RESULTS – Saturday, April 5
Singles – Semifinal Round
[Q] Jenson Brooksby (USA) d. Tommy Paul (USA) 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6)
[2] Frances Tiafoe (USA) d [4] Brandon Nakashima (USA) 6-4, 7-6(3)
