Jaime Faria defeated Jenson Brooksby on Court 17 at Flushing Meadows. The Portuguese player battled through a five-set thriller in front of a loud American crowd to reach the second round of the US Open for the first time. His reward is a clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but the 23-year-old also reflected on the challenge of facing Americans in front of their home crowd.
Jaime Faria Praises US Open Crowd After Beating Jenson Brooksby in Five-Set Thriller
The first-round victory did not come easily. After a commanding two-set lead, Faria watched as Brooksby pulled off a comeback backed by a New York audience.
In the post-match on-court interview, Faria admitted that the atmosphere got into his head late in the third set as the American crowd backed Brooksby. “It’s very tough because they honestly entered my head at the end of the third set,” he said.
“I think these matches give me a lot of routines and different experiences. I think he (Brooksby) played very well also to come back to the fifth set, and then I did very well to close it and (I’m) very happy to get through my first time through the second round in the US Open.”
At the Cincinnati Open, Faria had defeated Brooksby 6-3, 6-2 in the first round. He then upset Shelton 6-4, 6-4 before ultimately losing to Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round.
Faria added that the crowd in New York was even louder than what he experienced during his win over Shelton in Cincinnati. “I have to admit that Cincinnati was not this loud, even playing with the number one American,” he said. “But yeah, I’m enjoying playing against Americans in America. I love it, but let’s keep it going.”
Faria also told ATP Tour that the match brought back memories of his Roland Garros third-round loss to Frances Tiafoe earlier this year, when he also surrendered a two-set lead.
“Always against Americans,” Faria joked. “Today, during the match, I was remembering it all over again. To have the match under control and then watch the other guy turn it, it’s not easy.”
With the win, the World No. 72 became just the third Portuguese player in history to win a main-draw match at all four Grand Slams, joining João Sousa and Nuno Borges.
Now, Faria faces his toughest challenge yet in Alcaraz, who comfortably defeated Roman Safiullin in his first match back from a wrist injury. The seven-time Grand Slam champion returned to action after an over four-month-long injury layoff, first teaming up with Serena Williams in mixed doubles before opening his singles campaign with a straight-sets win over Safiullin.
