Kevin Anderson beat Next Gen US player Jenson Brooksby 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 at the Hall of fame in Newport to claim the seventh ATP Tour title of his career and his first trophy since Pune 2019.
Neither Anderson nor Brooksby dropped serve in the first set en route to the tie-break. Brooskby missed a backhand return on his first set point at 6-5. Anderson hit a forehand to fend off a second set point at 7-8 before closing out the tie-break with a backhand return winner up the line after 77 minutes.
Anderson earned the only break of the match in the first game of the second set. The South African player hit 16 aces and won all 11 of his service games.
“It’s been a pretty tough run with some injuries. To be back at the Internazionali Tennis Hall of Fame with such history, this could not be a better week for me to start my comeback. I am very motivated to get back, but it all starts with each match, and I was able to really grind it out. Thanks to the tournament for giving me a wild card. It definitely worked out for me. The last time I was here was in 2008. It’s significant in a way. I was just starting my career, and I guess I am towards the end, but definitely I am very motivated”, said Anderson.
Brooksby was the second youngest finalist in this tournament’s 45-year history, and he was trying to lift the trophy on his ATP Tour main draw debut. “It’s amazing to get all the support from you guys, it gives me support. It was awesome playing here and I hope to be back again and pushing for more of these results”, said Brooksby.
