Another huge upset shook the Australian Open on Thursday afternoon, Casper Ruud tumbling out of the tournament as Jenson Brooksby claimed the biggest scalp of his career.
Norway’s Ruud, the No.2 seed in the men’s singles draw, suffered a 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-2 defeat at Rod Laver Arena.
It means the top two seeds are now eliminated from the Melbourne Park major — and Americans brought about their downfalls.
Rafael Nadal and Ruud are no longer alive in the first grand slam of the year, leaving Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas as the top seed.
Not since the Roland-Garros tournament of 1994 had Americans ousted the top two seeds from a grand slam, when Jim Courier beat Pete Sampras and Aaron Krickstein stunned Michael Stich.
Brooksby, ranked 39th in the world, said he was thrilled to have the “mental resolve” to fight back after dropping the third-set tiebreak.
He lost the tiebreak despite having three match points in his keeping.
“Just keep bringing my level … I just wanted to not lose my focus out there,” Brooksby said in his on-court interview.
“Last year I had COVID.
“Hopefully this is the first of many years to come.
“A lot of Americans doing really well right now. We’re all pushing each other.”
When Ruud hit a two-handed backhand long to seal Brooksby’s victory, the 22-year-old underdog hoisted his arms above his hand with an overlooking look of delight on his face.
He had only turned professional in 2021 and is contesting his debut Australian Open campaign.
Unseeded American knocks out No.2
MORE TO COME.
