Jenson Brooksby will compete in his tenth ATP semi-final in Tokyo. The American extended his brilliant run in the ATP quarter-finals (9-1) with a solid 6-3, 6-3 victory in an hour and 30 minutes.
Thus, Jenson secured his fifth top-20 victory of the season and remained on the title course. He outplayed his rival behind the second serve and defended four of fivebreak points.
Holger struggled after missing the first serve big time, dropping serve four times from seven chances presented to his opponent and experiencing another tough defeat.
Brooksby reduced his pace and landed ten winners and 12 unforced errors. Rune landed 20 direct points and sprayed 35 mistakes, mostly from his forehand that let him down.
The American had the upper hand from the baseline and at the net. Jenson had to work hard in the fourth game of the duel, saving a break point and holding after many deuces.
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He landed a forehand winner in the sixth game, saving another break point and locking the result at 3-3. The Dane struggled on serve in the seventh game and sprayed a double fault on the fourth break point to fall behind.
Holger served to stay in the set at 3-5 and experienced another break, allowing Jenson to close the opener in 45 minutes. Rune made a push early in the second set and secured a break at love in the third game for the advantage.
He wasted three game points that could have sent him 4-2 in front. Instead, Brooksby pulled the break back when his rival missed a backhand, leveling the score at 3-3 and gaining a boost.
Holger missed a game point at 3-4 and netted a backhand to suffer another break. Jenson served for the win at 5-3 and faced two break points. He denied them with fine attacks and generated a match point.
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The American converted it with a service winner, moving over the top and reaching the semi-final.
