Goffin experienced a disaster scenario in the first set, finding himself trailing 5-0 after losing his serve twice and missing a break point at 2-0.
In the second set, Goffin missed three break points in the second game. In the process, Bonzi managed a first break. A second break allowed the Frenchman to take off at 5-2 then go to two sets to zero.
The third set started with two breaks from Bonzi and two unbreaks from Goffin. Bonzi managed another break to make it 5-4, with the opportunity to serve for the match. But Goffin immediately returned to equality. The deciding game went to Bonzi’s advantage, winning on his fifth match point. The Frenchman beats Goffin for the first time in four confrontations.
Video: one of the most beautiful points of the meeting
Bonzi will meet Francesco Passaro (ATP 104) in the second round. The Italian, ‘lucky loser’ of qualifying, took advantage of the abandonment of the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, 10th in the world and seeded N.10, in the second set. The score was 7-5, 2-1 in favor of Passaro when Dimitrov retired.
Goffin, 34, was playing his eleventh Australian Open in singles. For the fourth time in a row, his journey ends in the first round.
In addition to singles, David Goffin is also entered in doubles alongside Frenchman Alexandre Muller, recently titled in Hong Kong. The Belgian-French pair will meet the Germans Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz, 9th and 10th in the world in doubles and seeded N.4.
