Dominated in the first set, flamboyant in the second, Benjamin Bonzi ended up undermining the resistance of Alex Michelsen and qualifies for his third ATP final, hoping for a first title tomorrow in Metz.
At the beginning of 2023, Benjamin Bonzi had reached his first two finals on the ATP Tour, losing them admittedly, but it finally seemed to be his breakthrough moment. Except that since then, he had only gone backwards, in search of his game and his physique. For two months, however, he had returned to the forefront with two Challenger titles, and this week in Metz, he released Casper Ruud on the way to the semi-finals, where he challenged the formidable Alex Michelsen.
A match between two hitters who rely primarily on a big first pitch, where every opportunity is a blessing. On this point, the Frenchman came out of the first set with regrets, having provoked two extended games on the American's serve, and having collected three break points, but without achieving a conversion. Michelsen, he did not miss the opportunity in the 6th game, then played his simple but effective Tennis to win the first set and place Bonzi at the foot of the wall.
It was then that the Frenchman proved what he was made of. We did not imagine such a scenario in the second round. Lethal, he was simply going to get three break points, and convert all three! Certainly, the American had given up, but to imagine him taking a bubble, there was a margin. Transfigured, Bonzi went for the second set and served first in the third. The feat was underway, especially since the American seemed physically affected.
It was then that the meeting took an unexpected turn. While everyone was proceeding with their throw-in, the Frenchman broke the first time, returned immediately, then a second, and served for the match. The arm was shaking then, the break was inevitable, but the American served twice to stay in the match, and on the fifth match point, Benjamin Bonzi finally reached the goal for a victory 4-6, 6-0, 7-5. Here he is in the final, where he will face Cameron Norrieto perhaps end a gloomy year in apotheosis.
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