POTCHEFSTROOM, February 21, 2021 (TSA Press Release)
Jenson Brooksby won his first career ATP Challenger Tour singles title at the Potch Open, an ATP Challenger 80 event on Sunday.
At the North-West University in Potchefstroom, he defeated Russian former World No. 43 Teymuraz Gabashvili, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, to cap off an impressive run.
With the win, the 20-year-old US-American returns into the Top 300 on the ATP rankings. To reach the final, he knocked off qualifier Ryan Peniston from Great Britain in the Round of 32, No. 2 seed Benjamin Bonzi in the second round, and Turkish seventh seed Cem Ilkel and Lucas Meidler in the quarters and semis, respectively.
“It feels great, you know, the work i put in the non-tournament weeks and throughout the tournaments, it feels great to get my first tournament win here in South Africa,” said Brooksby.
The 20-year-old admitted to nerves in the beginning of the match, “I was pretty nervous at the start a little bit. He (Teymuraz Gabashvili) started out strong and caught me a little off guard but i battled past the nerves thankfully to get through.”
The Potch Open was Brooksby’s third tournament after missing all of 2020 due to injuries.
“In 2019, I had a good year in my terms for sure, with the US Open and leading up to that. I had a couple of injuries which started out in 2020 right up to the start of college in January and with COVID-19 affecting tournaments, but I knew I still have this level in me and I am just happy to be out here competing again.”
In 2019, the 20-year-old defeated former world number 4 Tomas Berdych at the US Open.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming to South Africa as I have never been in Africa before but the hotel set-up and the courts set-up was really nice here.
“I have enjoyed being here both weeks and thanks to everyone that hosted the tournaments and everyone for helping out,” concluded Brooksby.
The Challenger events were made possible thanks to an innovative commercial joint venture between Tennis SA and Henico Schalekamp, Chief Executive of Schalekamp Group Holdings, as well as support from the ATP and North West University.
Parrizas-Diaz wins back-to-back titles
In the women’s final, Nuria Parrizas-Diaz of Spain bagged her second consecutive ITF World Tennis Tour 25 event title on Sunday when she defeated Canadian Carol Zhao in straights sets 6-3, 6-0 to clinch the Ilana Kloss International series title.
Going baaaack 2⃣ back!
🇪🇸Nuria Parrizas-Diaz wins her second title in two weeks in Potchefstroom.
The Spanish 6th seeded defeated 🇨🇦Carol Zhao 6-3, 6-0 to claim her second title.
Catch up on the highlights now👇
🕙 12h30
📺 @SABC_2 #IlanaKlossInternational I @ITFTennis pic.twitter.com/hQ5vCSIELV— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) February 21, 2021
