Men's singles second round
Second seed Casper Ruud's Australian Open 2023 campaign has come to a screeching halt at the talented hands of Jenson Brooksby.
MORE: All the scores from Day 4 at AO 2023
The fired-up 22-year-old American stepped up to deliver a 6-3 7-5 6-7(4) 6-2 victory over his favoured foe in three hours and 55 minutes on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.
Brooksby's heroics, in addition to Californian Mackenzie McDonald's triumph over injured defending champion Rafael Nadal on Wednesday, means American men have taken out the two top seeds at a major for the first time since Roland Garros 1994 – before either Brooksby or McDonald were born.
The build-up
Ruud and Brooksby, each spotted warming up with soccer balls, tussled once before and the American has been waiting eight months for a chance to avenge that loss.
A two-time Grand Slam finalist in 2022, Ruud has been eyeing the world No.1 ranking with a deep run at Melbourne Park, but has been tempering onlookers' expectations. The right-hander said he would be satisfied if he were able to match a career-best fourth round appearance – a result that most second seeds would be disappointed with.
Story of the match
Viewers without any context might have picked Brooksby as the second seed.
Compelling from the get-go, the world No.39 commandeered a 30-stroke rally to break for a 4-3 lead and blazed a stunning forehand winner to snatch the opening set.
MORE: "Annoyingly good" Brooksby leaves Ruud with no answers
Often overwhelmed and put out of position by Brooksby's aggressive shot-making, Ruud had little reason to first pump. The Norwegian, who misfired backhand volleys and sprayed backhands long, couldn't stop a lucky net-cord winner from ending a 26-stroke rally to hand his opponent the second set.
Ruud, after taking a medical timeout, split breaks with Brooksby to start the third before conceding his serve in the sixth game, falling into a 2-5 hole.
Amid an onset of nerves, Brooksby missed an opportunity to convert three match points at 5-4, one which Ruud saved with a crisp volley en route to a crucial break.
"How? How?" a distraught Brooksby screamed, berating himself for squandering his match points.
The emotional rollercoaster continued through the tiebreak as Ruud, with his back against the wall, began striking groundstrokes with newfound freedom and walking with a pep in his step.
But the Norwegian's purple patch was brief. Shaking off the tentativeness that took over during the business end of the third set, Brooksby resumed control of proceedings with an early double break.
An increasingly frustrated Ruud began questioning himself, shouting "Why? Why?" The Norwegian snared one break back, only to immediately donate his next service game to Brooksby.
Serving for the match at 5-2, some 75 minutes after his earlier trio of match points, Brooksby sealed victory as a Ruud return flew long on match point number five. The American celebrated with a wry smile as he raised both arms in relief.
"Casper's a warrior, I knew it would be a great battle," said the elated American. "I was pretty confident with my level and just wanted to have fun competing out there and see what could happen.
"I was just really proud of my mental resolve there after the third set battle didn't go my way, to just turn it around," said Brooksby, who told himself to "just keep bringing my level."
"I thought I was playing really strong and I just wanted every game [to] not lose my focus out there."
Key stats
The Californian was dominant in long rallies, clinching a remarkable 50 of the 68 points that extended over nine shots.
Brooksby won a crucial 58 per cent of second serve points despite a slower average second serve speed, at 137km/h, to Ruud's at 156km/h.
The American was also more clutch on break points, saving eight of 12, compared to Ruud's four of 13.
What this means for Brooksby
Brooksby's Australian Open debut run is gathering steam. By defeating Ruud, the youngster has advanced to the round of 32 at a major for a fourth time, following recent success at his home slam, the US Open, and at Wimbledon 2022.
The occasion marks the American's second-ever top-five scalp, with Ruud joining Stefanos Tsitsipas on the short list.
"Hopefully this is the first of many, many good years here to come," said Brooksby, who missed AO 2022 with Covid.
He'll next stare across the net at countryman Tommy Paul, who hit his way through 30th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2 2-6 6-7(4) 6-3 6-4 in three hours and 50 minutes on Thursday.
MORE: AO 2023 men's singles draw
"That's going to be another battle for sure," Brooksby said.
"A lot of the Americans are doing really well right now and we're all pushing each other. I'm just looking forward to the next one."
What’s next for Ruud?
Ruud, who missed AO 2022 with an injury, won't see his ranking suffer as a result of his early exit. That means the No.1 ranking should stay in touching distance for the 24-year-old during the US sunshine swing and as the tour returns to the Norwegian's favourite surface: clay.