Mackenzie McDonald ousts defending Houston champion Jenson Brooksby in first round

HOUSTON—Last year’s winner of the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, Jenson Brooksby, saved five match points before lifting the trophy.

So when the defending champ saved his third match point Monday night, in his first-round match with Mackenzie McDonald—on a net cord, no less—you could be forgiven for thinking ahead. Did Brooksby have his fellow American right where he wanted him?

“I’ve practiced with him a lot—he’s the king of coming back from match points,” said McDonald. “He definitely has that reputation.”

And McDonald, leading 6-4, 5-2, definitely wanted to close things out, before reputation became reality.

He did just that, without needing to cash in his insurance break, but with the comfort of knowing he had it.

McDonald was comfortable all night, while also taking advantage of a very off night from Brooksby, who struck 30 unforced errors and was 0 for 4 on break points.

“It was nice I had that insurance break,” said McDonald, but it was “pretty key” to close it out in straights.

Both Brooksby and McDonald came into this match desperate for a win. Brooksby, ranked 41^st, began the day 4-7, while the 125^th-ranked McDonald was 8-8 overall, but 1-3 in tour-level matches. On top of that, they’re both coming back from extended absences—Brooksby from a since-overturned suspension; McDonald from multiple injuries.

“I’ve had one good season...I’m not going to give up,” McDonald said after the victory. “That’s where you want to be, that’s where you want to play, that’s where the money’s at, points.”

When I spoke with McDonald last year at Indian Wells, he reiterated that, “If I’m healthy, I think I’m doing pretty good, because I think my results are gonna speak for myself.”

On this gorgeous night at River Oaks Country Club, McDonald’s tennis spoke loudest.

Tuesday in Houston: Where to Watch

🎾 Tomas Martin Etcheverry vs. Federico Agustin Gomez (not before 3 p.m. ET)
🎾 Martin Damm vs. Brandon Nakashima (to follow)
🎾 Alex Michelsen vs. Coleman Wong (not before 7 p.m. ET)
🎾 Alexei Popyrin vs. Patrick Kypson (to follow)

For complete coverage information on the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, streaming on the Tennis Channel app and airing on Tennis Channel 2, click here.