Counter unlocked for Benjamin Bonzi: the 28-year-old Frenchman won his very first title on the ATP circuit on Saturday against the Briton Cameron Norrie in Metz, where he came from qualifying.
By winning in two sets 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in 1h54 against the 57th in the world, Benjamin Bonzi finished the year in style and will make a good comeback in the top 100.
After regaining confidence in the Challengers tournaments, the second level, the 124th player in the world 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, 44th.
For the third final of his career after defeats in Marseille and Pune in 2023, this time he won. Without shaking.
“I’ve come a long, long way this year, it’s been 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”.
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.
With aces
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 1h08 of play, the Nîmes 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 ” Come on “ his crucial points won, like in the semi-final against Corentin Moutet.
He quickly broke (2-1), before taking the lead. Chaining aces together at the end of the match, he concluded on his first match point after a beautiful second ball which forced Norrie’s direct error.
The Briton Cameron Norrie during the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Metz against the Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, in Metz, November 9, 2024 / Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP
Norrie, 29, winner of five tournaments including the Masters 1000 at Indian Wells in 2021, will not add a sixth to Metz.
Former French number one when he reached 42nd in the world at the start of 2023, Bonzi fell back in the rankings after a wrist injury. He had a series of defeats on the main circuit this year. Metz, where “there will always be a special bond now”allows Bonzi to put all these bad memories behind him.
