TALLAHASSEE, April 26, 2021
The 2021 Tallahassee Tennis Challenger singles champion has been crowned, with #NextGenATP star Jenson Brooksby defeating Bjorn Fratangelo 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in an all-US-American final on Sunday.
In the first set, Brooksby grabbed an early break to take a 2-0 lead. Fratangelo then found his serve, but the damage was done, as the 20-year-old Californian raised his level and closed our the opening set 6-3. In the second set, both player struggled to hold their serve, trading breaks until Fratangelo was finally able to hold and take a 4-2 lead. Fratangelo was able to flip the script from the first set, and hold his serve to close out the set 6-4.
In the final set, both players stayed with each other and saved multiple break points. It was Brooksby that would come out on top, defeating his compatriot 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 after two hours and 20 minutes.
CHAMPION… AGAIN ‼️
Jenson Brooksby claims his third #ATPChallenger title of 2021, prevailing @TallyChallenger. The 🇺🇸 saves 16 of 19 break points for the 🏆. pic.twitter.com/V9PU4M5Ut8
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) April 25, 2021
With the win, Brooksby claims his second consecutive ATP Challenger title and third of 2021. He also becomes the youngest US-American to win three titles in a season since an 18-year-old Sam Querrey in 2006. Brooksby took away from Tallahassee $7,200 in prize money as well as 80 ATP Ranking points and is projected to rise to World No. 166 in the ATP Rankings on Monday.
“I am happy to win my third ATP Challenger this year, second in a row,” Brooksby stated in a short video. “I have had great two weeks in Florida. I am excited to get home to get back to work, trying to keep improving. Thanks everybody!”
Luz/Matos take doubles title
Earlier in the afternoon, the doubles final took place with No. 1 seed Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos taking on US-American wild card entries Sekou Bangoura and Donald Young. The Brazilians were able to close out the opening set 7-6(2) in a tie-break and then continued the momentum in the second, claiming their fourth Challenger doubles title with a final score of 7-6(2), 6-2 after one hour and 17 minutes.
Play now heads to Europe as players continue to prepare for Roland-Garros in May. ATP Challenger Tour action on the USTA Pro Circuit returns in June as top professionals hit the hard courts of Little Rock, Arkansas and Orlando, Florida.
