by Hanlon Walsh
Opening day of the 2025 Fayez Sarofim & Co. Championships kicked off with eight qualifiers advancing to Sunday’s final round, including four Americans.
There will be a lot on the line Sunday, as four of the eight players in action are vying to earn a spot in their first career ATP main draw.
Saturday’s most anticipated matchup lived up to expectations, with American Jenson Brooksby ousting top seed Federico Agustin Gomez 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, in a dramatic come-from-behind victory lasting nearly three hours. A former top 35 standout and three-time ATP finalist, Brooksby is quickly climbing back up the rankings on his comeback journey.
Second-seeded Mitchell Krueger, a Dallas resident, prevailed with a retirement victory over fellow American Toby Kodat midway through the second set while trailing 5-7, 3-1. Ranked just inside the top 150, he looks to secure his second U.S. Clay main draw appearance on Sunday.
Colton Smith, a former University of Arizona standout and the winningest tennis player in program history, defeated fellow countrymen Evan Zhu 6-1, 6-2.
Patricks Prevail
American Patrick Maloney advanced past No. 7 Andres Andrade 6-7, 5-3 via a retirement from Andrade, marking the first ATP Tour qualifying match win for the former University of Michigan player.
Eighth seed Patrick Zahraj, a former UCLA standout, defeated American Felix Corwin 6-4, 7-5 in his quest to make his first ATP Main Draw debut.
Frenchmen Advance to Final Round
Both Frenchmen in the qualifying draw advanced with nearly identical storylines. Next, they’ll square off for a spot in the main draw.
Adrian Mannarino, seeded third, defeated Naoki Nakagawa of Japan 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a two-hour affair that kicked off Saturday’s Court 3 lineup. A former top 20 player, 36-year-old Mannarino looks to make his debut U.S. Clay main draw appearance with another win on Sunday.
Standing in his way is fellow countrymen Corentin Dolly, who overcame 2023 NCAA Doubles Champion, fifth seed James Trotter, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 on Court 7. A once top five junior and 2015 Roland Garros boys finalist, No. 327 Dolly is one win away from advancing to his first ATP Tour main draw event.
Rounding out day one qualifying action, Canadian Liam Draxl defeated American William Grant 6-3, 6-2. He also seeks his first ATP Main draw appearance.
Sunday’s Qualifying Finals Lineup
- [WC] Jenson Brooksby (USA) vs. Patrick Maloney (USA)
- [2] Mitchell Krueger (USA) vs. [8] Patrick Zahraj (Germany)
- [3] Adrian Mannarino (France) vs. Corentin Dolly (France)
- [4] Liam Draxl vs. [6] Colton Smith (USA) or Evan Zhu (USA)
