ATP Tour wrap: Brooksby’s run cut short as Sinner and McDonald contest final
JANNIK Sinner put a stop to wildcard Jenson Brooksby‘s run of form as Mackenzie McDonald earned his maiden ATP Tour level final appearance with a victory over former champion Kei Nishikori at the Citi Open in Washington D.C..
Two youngsters in 19-year-old Sinner and 20-year-old Brooksby put on a tough battle in the first semi-final of the day, with the fifth seed Italian, Sinner continuing his strong run of form off the back of a four-match losing streak. While Brooksby’s recent form has been outstanding, Sinner completed a run of three wins over Americans in Washington with his 7-6(2) 6-1 disposal of the burgeoning American talent.
Neither player had dropped a set this week heading into the clash, with little to separate the two during the tight opening set before Sinner took control and blew Brooksby out of the water in an excellent second set to complete the match 89 minutes. With six aces to his name winning 83 per cent of points off his first serve, Sinner backed up with a 70 per cent win rate off his second serve too and saved three break points to retain control.
The second semi played out between Nishikori and McDonald, with the American doing what Brooksby could not, firing to command control throughout a tough 6-4 3-6 7-5 match. Hitting 30 winners – 21 off his forehand – McDonald continued to build momentum throughout to claim the result in two hours and 45 minutes. Despite Nishikori levelling proceedings with a huge finish to the second set to go one apiece, McDonald latched onto Nishikori’s momentum to pull back control and win points when it counted.
“I’m super happy with my level right now and how I’m playing. I think I’m staying focussed throughout these matches which is really key, and something I don’t think I could have done a couple of years ago,” McDonald said. “I’m super excited to be in a final, my first one. And here in the States, in D.C., it’s something special.”
CITI OPEN SEMI FINALS RESULTS:
[5] Jannik Sinner (ITA) defeated [WC] Jenson Brooksby (USA) 7-6 6-1
Mackenzie McDonald (USA) defeated Kei Nishikori (JPN) 6-4 3-6 7-5
Picture credit: Getty Images
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