In a thrilling and improbable run, US-American Jenson Brooksby captured his maiden ATP Tour title at the 2025 Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, completing a week of grit, resilience, and breakthrough tennis. The 24-year-old, who began the tournament ranked World No. 507 and came through qualifying, made history as the lowest-ranked champion in US Clay Open Era history.

Brooksby’s path to the title was nothing short of remarkable. Over seven matches, he saved a total of five match points—one in the opening round of qualifying, three in his second-round clash, and another in the semifinals. According to ATP records dating back to 2015, he becomes only the eighth player to win a title after saving match points in multiple matches during the same event.

In Sunday’s final, Brooksby held his nerve against his compatriot and 2023 champion Frances Tiafoe in what was the 11th all-US-American Houston final in the Open Era—and the third in the past four years. Tiafoe, who was appearing in his third consecutive final in Houston, was bidding to add a second title to his name but fell just short against a red-hot Brooksby.

Jenson’s journey

World No.507 Brooksby becomes the 3rd lowest-ranked ATP champion since 1990!@mensclaycourt | #USClay pic.twitter.com/x9InKFPahI

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 6, 2025

“Thank you to my team. All the way from qualifying, match point down,” Brooksby said during the trophy ceremony. “That’s pretty intense, so thanks for sticking with it, every match, every day here for me.”

With the win, Brooksby becomes the first man from the United States to lift an ATP trophy in 2025 and the sixth US winner in Houston in the last seven editions of the tournament. He also joins the elite company of Fernando Gonzalez, becoming the first qualifier to win the US Clay title since the Chilean’s run in 2000.

The victory marks Brooksby’s fourth ATP Tour final, all of which have taken place on American soil. But unlike his previous attempts, this time he crossed the finish line in style. The win also propels him back up the rankings—he is projected to rise to World No. 172, a massive leap from his pre-tournament position.

Meanwhile, Tiafoe’s performance further solidified his dominance at this event. With 10 wins in his last 12 matches in Houston, he continues to be one of the most consistent performers on American clay, and his streak of three straight finals matches a feat last achieved by Andy Roddick between 2001 and 2005.

RESULTS – Sunday, April 6
Singles Championship
[Q] Jenson Brooksby (USA) d. [2] Frances Tiafoe (USA) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles Championship
Fernando Romboli (Brazil) & John-Patrick Smith (Australia) d. Federico Agustin Gomez (Argentina) & Santiago Gonzalez (Mexico) 6-1, 6-4