"I just wanted to make the most of this opportunity," Brooksby, lucky loser, savors his week in Eastbourne

Jenson Brooksby is the surprise guest in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Eastbourne. The American, ranked 149th in the world, lost in the final round of qualifying against Vukic before being reprieved after Bublik's withdrawal.

As a lucky loser, he went on to defeat Comesaña, Borges, Evans, and Humbert to reach the final, where he will face his compatriot Taylor Fritz, the world No. 5 and top seed in Eastbourne, in a bid to claim the title.

This isn’t the first time Brooksby has reached a final under such circumstances. Last April, the 25-year-old American won the title in Houston against Frances Tiafoe after coming through qualifying.

Brooksby could experience a similar fate if he triumphs over Fritz in the coming hours. Ahead of the final, scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m., Brooksby reflected on his successful week in the UK.

"I think I have much less pressure, even though I felt it today (Friday), of course. But generally, when you don’t expect to make the main draw and get such a chance at the last moment, there’s really less pressure. I just wanted to make the most of this opportunity.

It means a lot to me to be back in stadiums like this, not just in terms of the game but also physically. I really enjoy playing matches like these in this kind of tournament, in front of big crowds. So I’m very happy to be here again and to be playing in the final," Brooksby concluded in recent comments to Championat.