Counter unlocked for Benjamin Bonzi. The 28-year-old Frenchman won his very first title on the ATP circuit on Saturday against Briton Cameron Norrie in Metz, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4. However, he came from the qualifications.
For the third final of his career, after defeats in Marseille and Pune in 2023, he won this time. Without shaking.
Ten break points saved by Bonzi
Under the eyes of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, winner four times in Metz, it was Norrie who broke first (4-3). But Bonzi reacted directly by breaking at 4-4.
The following play was perhaps the turning point of the match in the minds of both opponents. Dominated, Bonzi managed to save ten break points, thanks to good firsts or by entering the net, and ended up going in front at 5-4.
After 1 hour 08 minutes of play, the Nîmes player concluded a contested first set in the tie-break, saving a set point in the process.
In the second round, Bonzi gradually silenced Norrie who, a bit provocative, punctuated with loud “Allez” his crucial points won, as in the semi-final against Corentin Moutet.
He quickly broke (2-1), before taking the lead. Chaining aces together, he concluded on his first match point, forcing Norrie to make a direct error.
Norrie, 29, winner of five tournaments including the Masters 1000 at Indian Wells in 2021, will therefore not add a sixth to Metz.
A nice climb back into the top 100 for the Frenchman
Former French number one when he reached 42e world ranking at the start of 2023, Bonzi fell back in the rankings after a wrist injury.
After regaining confidence in the Challengers tournaments, the second level, the 124e world player finally found the key on the main circuit in Metz, ATP 250 tournament. He successively eliminated the Norwegian Casper Ruud, world No. 7, his first victory against a member of the top 10, then his compatriot Quentin Halys and the American Alex Michelsen, 44e.
By winning in two sets and in 1 hour 54 minutes against the 57e world, Benjamin Bonzi ends the year in style and will make a nice comeback in the top 100. “I come back from a long, long way away, it was a really complicated year, he whispered. It's really special to end this year with a first title, I held on, I worked a lot to try to come back, I'm super happy to be here today. »
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