the essential
The former resident of Stade Toulousain is regaining color at the end of the season. He reached the last four of the Metz tournament by dismissing his compatriot Quentin Halys (6-3, 7-6).
Unexpected winner this Wednesday over Casper Ruud (7th player in the world) in the second round of the ATP 250 tournament in Metz, Benjamin Bonzi continued his journey on Thursday by dominating his compatriot Quentin Halys in two sets 6-3, 7-6 (7-1) . The former Stade Toulousain licensee will meet in the semi-final the winner of the match scheduled for the evening between the American Alex Michelsen and the Chinese Bu Yunchaokete.
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Former French number one, Bonzi fell to 124th place in the world after a wrist injury. Before arriving in Metz, he was left with six defeats in as many matches on the main circuit this season, but had already revived by winning seventeen victories out of eighteen matches in the Challengers tournaments, the second level.
Against Quentin Halys (84th), the 28-year-old right-hander hardly trembled. After a first set dominated 6-3, Benjamin Bonzi had to go through a tie-break. Decisive game won easily by the former Toulouse player who won the first six points, finally finishing with a scathing 7-1.
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A difficult season
“It feels good,” said Benjamin Bonzi in English on the court after the match, “it’s an incredible end to the season for me, I’m playing really well, everything is going in my favor and a semi-final on the big circuit, I've been waiting for this for a long time.” His previous semi-final on the main circuit, the fourth of his career, dates back to the Marseille tournament in February 2023.
“We tried to change little things, especially on the mental level,” said the Nîmes native to explain his return to the best level. “I no longer play to avoid losing, I play to win, I feel more relaxed, I can play more aggressive tennis.”
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“These victories give me a lot of confidence, it’s easier afterwards,” he continued. This Wednesday, he achieved the best performance of his career by beating a Top 10 player for the first time, the Norwegian Ruud (7th), in two sets 6-4, 6-4.
Bonzi rose to 42nd in the world in February 2023 – he was then the French No.1 ahead of Richard Gasquet and Constant Lestienne – but injured his left wrist two months later during the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo. His qualification for the last four in Metz guarantees him to move up to at least 105th place in the next ATP rankings.
