Lexus Eastbourne Open 2025: Lucky loser Jenson Brooksby takes on reigning champion Taylor Fritz in all American final
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Could Taylor Fritz clinch a historic fourth title? Or will lucky loser Jenson Brooksby be the one to knock his fellow American off his throne? It’s all to play for in tomorrow’s men’s singles final at the Lexus Eastbourne Open.
Brooksby and Fritz both made it through three set battles in their semi-final matches to set up the first all-American final clash since 2022 at Devonshire Park.
Fritz is no stranger to the South Coast grass courts and is the first man to make the final for the fourth time, having picked up the trophy on three occasions in the past. Brooksby, on the other hand, captured his first ATP Tour title in Houston as a qualifier earlier this year and is looking for his first on grass.
Brooksby was first to book his place in the final after an upset in the semis against fourth seed Ugo Humbert – the American fought back from a set down to win 6-7(7), 6-4, 6-4.
Fritz soon followed him after coming through a tough three set match against world No. 28 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the last match of the day on centre court.
The American No.1 has had his fair share of long battles during this year’s tournament. The top seed has recovered from a second set loss in each of his matches on the way to tomorrow’s final. He made it past fellow American Marcos Giron in the opening match, before seeing off Brazilian teenage sensation Joao Fonseca in the third.
Speaking after the semi-final match, Fritz praised his composure in these tougher moments and his ability to switch up his game plan when needed.
“I think it’s easy in the second set to start panicking a little bit. I feel like he was playing some really good return games. I wasn’t really getting good looks on the return so it’s easy to panic when I guess the things that were working for me, aren’t really working for me anymore.
“I kind of just had to take a second, just think it out, make some changes and commit to some shots and commit to doing some things differently in the third. Luckily, I was able to execute it and do those things well. “
It's a historic victory for the reigning champ, who has made the men’s final here more than any other player in the tournament's history. He noted how comfortable he feels on the grass at Devonshire Park’s and the belief he has playing here as a three-time titleholder.
“I think just showing up here, being on site, playing on centre court, I always just feel like things are going to work out for me because they kind of just always do for some reason here, so I do have that bit of confidence."
The newly-crowned Boss Open champion didn’t hold back as he raced to a 3-0 lead in the opener before maintaining it as he quickly closed off the set. However, his intensity dipped in the second, giving an opening for Davidovich Fokina to take control.
The Spaniard dropped just five points on his serve as he raced through his attacking games while building pressure on the American’s serve before the world No.28 was rewarded with the crucial break to take the match to a decider.
Not ready to bow out of his beloved tournament just yet, Fritz sprinted to a 5-1 lead in the decider, saving two break points in the process. The American was serving for the match at 40-15 when he hit a forehand down the line to make history.
Brooksby has had a standout year after battling with injuries earlier in his career. Having only made one final on the surface (Newport 2021) ahead of this week, the world No.149 is looking at home on the grass as he bids to be the first lucky loser to win in Eastbourne’s history.
His victory today marks the second seeded player the American has taken down en route to the final after knocking out eighth seed Nuno Borges in the second round. Brooksby also eased past British wild card Dan Evans following his second round victory over world No.13 Tommy Paul.
The American is set to jump to world No.101 in the ATP live rankings, and will likely climb even higher with a title win. However, the lucky loser is relinquishing the pressure of the event and is happy to be back on the main stage, bidding for his first grass court title.
“I think it’s a lot less pressure for me, even though I did feel some today of course but I think as a whole in the main draw, it’s a lot less pressure when you didn’t expect to be in the main draw and you get an opportunity that’s right before. You just want to make the most of it.
“(It) means a lot for me to be back on stages like this, especially, not just skill wise but physically and this is my favourite thing in the world trying to be back on these big stages and in these big matches and in front of crowds like you guys so I’m very happy to be playing again tomorrow."
Brooksby missed out on an opening lead as he lost a break to love to send the opening set to a tie break. The pair looked tight throughout, but it was the Frenchman who edged ahead after saving a set point and taking one of his own on the second ask.
The American struggled with his serve in the second – his first serve percentage sitting at just 35% - and Humbert was able to quickly recover a break to keep the set level. However, the Houston Open champion chased down the 20 errors the forth seed made to take a life-saving break and the second set.
The decider saw the players exchange five breaks of serve between them, but it was the American who got the lead in the final game – seeing out the tie on his third match point with a world-class return to the corner of the court that proved too much for the Frenchman to save.
How to watch Taylor Fritz vs Jenson Brooksby at the Lexus Eastbourne Open Final
You can watch Fritz versus Brooksby in the Lexus Eastbourne Open final live and exclusively on BBC digital channels, BBC iPlayer and Tennis Channel.
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