Brooksby Upsets Ruud To Extend Dream Debut

Last Updated: January 27, 2023 | India, Delhi

An unseeded American has eliminated a top seed from the men's singles bracket at the Australian Open twice in a row. On Thursday in Rod Laver Arena, Jenson Brooksby overcame second seed Casper Ruud following Mackenzie McDonald's shocking loss to Rafael Nadal on Wednesday.

With Ruud having to save three match points and come back from 2-5 in the third set only to extend the match, the Melbourne rookie won 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-2. By aggravating the two-time major finalist and keeping him confined in his weaker corner for the most of the three hours and 55 minutes of play, Brooksby achieved the biggest victory of his career.

Ruud declared following the game, "Casper is a warrior first and foremost." "I was aware that the combat there would be epic. I felt quite confident in my ability and just wanted to enjoy myself while participating.After the third-set battle didn't go my way, "I was just extremely pleased of my mental determination there to just turn it around."

The 22-year-old American dominated the lengthy rallies, winning 50 of 68 matches involving nine or more balls. Both players struggled on their serves, with 25 break point opportunities split 13–12 in Brooksby's favour. However, the American scored on nine of those chances as opposed to Ruud's four, which was the difference in the game.

The most significant of the break points occurred in the second set when Brooksby was serving at 5-6, 30/40 and on set point for Ruud. A backhand that Brooksby used to win the match clipped the net and trickled over the net at the end of a lengthy 26-ball sequence.Ruud departed the court for a medical timeout following the second set. Although the World No. 3 worked hard to force a fourth set, she was outmatched in the last game.

After losing the third-set tie-break, Brooksby remarked of his approach, "[I had to] just keep bringing my level." "I simply wanted to keep concentrated in every game," the player said. "I believed I was doing well."Ruud's opportunity to leave Melbourne at the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings was lost due to the defeat. The winner of the Australian Open will either be Novak Djokovic or Stefanos Tsitsipas, with Carlos Alcaraz, who is ailing, guaranteed to hold the top spot regardless of the result.

The next opponent for Brooksby is fellow countryman Tommy Paul, who earlier on Thursday defeated 30th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina with scores of 6-2, 2-6, 7-6, 6-7(4), 6-3, and 6-4 to secure his place in the third round.The contest will undoubtedly be another fight, according to Brooksby. Many Americans are currently prospering, and we are all encouraging one another. I simply anticipate the upcoming one. Last season in Cincinnati, Paul prevailed 6-3, 6-2 in their only previous encounter.

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Brooksby Upsets Ruud To Extend Dream Debut

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