Jenson Brooksby catches Andy Murray’s eye after breakthrough week in Washington

Kevin Palmer
Jenson Brooksby
Jenson Brooksby making his mark

Jenson Brooksby has earned high praise from former world No.1 Andy Murray after his latest win in Washington.

American Brooksby, 20, has enjoyed a breakthrough week at the Citi Open and his stunning form continued as he eased past wild card  Australian John Millman 6-1, 6-2 to reach the semi-finals.

Appearing in his first ATP 500 event in Washington, Brooksby beat world No. 15 Felix Auger-Aliassime to record a career-best win in the quarter-finals and backed it up against 11th seed Millman in a comprehensive win completed in just 69 minutes.

“He is going to make you work hard but I know I am physical and I started really strongly in the first set,” Brooksby after his latest win.

“I sort of lost focus at times in the second set but that is part of it. I was still able to stay positive throughout.

“Starting strong is my mentality. It means the preparation up to the match is good. What I need to work on the most is when it gets later on in matches. It was harder today with the heat, but I am in good shape.”

Brooksby is yet to drop a set this week having also defeated former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson and 16th seed Frances Tiafoe in Washington and his performances have caught the eye of two-time Wimbledon champion Murray, who offered up this view of the rising star.