ATP Eastbourne – Borges vs Brooksby

🧠 Form & Context

Nuno Borges
🔥 Grass-court rise: Reached QF in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (beat Virtanen, pushed Humbert) and stretched Bautista Agut to three sets at Queen’s.
🛡️ Holding a 23-19 season record, with no fitness concerns despite a grueling clay stretch.
🎯 Uses a topspin-heavy forehand and disguised slice approach to finish points early on grass.
💡 Eyeing his first ATP 500 QF on turf — a win could lift him into the live Top 35.

Jenson Brooksby
🚀 Returning from wrist surgery, he already has a title in Houston (Har-Tru) this year.
🌱 3–3 on grass this swing — entered Eastbourne as a lucky loser, then qualified and beat Comesaña 7-6, 6-4 in R1.
🧩 Known for disrupting rhythm with redirect backhands and surprise drop shots — especially effective on grass.
⏳ Still working his way up the rankings, but his 10–8 career record on grass reflects decent comfort on the surface.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This match hinges on first-strike efficiency versus disruption. Borges thrives when his serve and forehand take charge, but Brooksby is a master of throwing opponents off balance — especially with early takes and low slices.

Brooksby will likely attack Borges’ second serve, which lacks pace and sits up when not well-placed. If the Portuguese dips below 60% first serves, he may find himself defending more than dictating.

From a physical standpoint, Borges is fresher — fewer matches played and better energy management. Brooksby, though, has proven he can grind through long sequences and still pull out clutch points.

With no H2H history, this is a clean slate. Borges carries slight favoritism at the books (around 1.73 odds), while Brooksby is once again in his favored underdog role — where he’s pulled six upsets in his last nine such scenarios.

🔮 Prediction

Expect an entertaining contrast: Borges trying to dictate early, Brooksby looking to extend points and cause discomfort. If the American stays tidy in execution, it could tilt—but Borges’ edge in serve quality and freshness gives him the edge in a tight third set.

Pick: Borges in 3 sets — expect long rallies, crafty shifts, and late-set drama.