Brooksby Sets Zverev Clash In Indian Wells Debut
#NextGen ATP American wild card Jenson Brooksby has boosted his chances of qualifying for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, following a straight-sets opening-round triumph over Turkish qualifier Cem Ilkel at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday.
In his Indian Wells debut, the 20-year-old scored a 7-6(5), 6-4 win on Stadium 1. At fifth in the ATP Race to Milan, he is next in line to qualify and holds a one-point lead over sixth-placed Lorenzo Musetti, an earlier loser to Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Day 2.
At 26, Ilkel was contesting his first ATP Masters 1000 main draw and stuck with his younger opponent throughout the opening set as neither player surrendered serve. After taking the tie-break on his second set point, Brooksby landed the first break for 3-2 in the second set and sustained the advantage as he prevailed at the one-hour, 44-minute mark. Brooksby dropped just four points on his first serve, won 68 per cent on his second serve and did not face a break point throughout.
He next meets German third seed Alexander Zverev for a place in the round of 32. One of six American men in action on Day 2, Brooksby has enjoyed a breakthrough run since the ATP Tour headed to his home turf after Wimbledon. He reached his maiden tour-level final at Newport in July (l. to Anderson) and defeated Kevin Anderson, Frances Tiafoe, Felix Auger-Aliassime and John Millman without dropping a set to reach the semi-finals in Washington.
Brooksby then made the fourth round at a Grand Slam for the first time where he took a set off World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. He arrived in Indian Wells at a career-high No. 79 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, having started the year at No. 307.