RENNES/STARNBERG, September 17, 2023
Maxime Cressy emerged as the champion of the 17th edition of the Open Blot Rennes, albeit in an unconventional manner. The 26-year-old US-American secured the title after his opponent, No. 8 seed Benjamin Bonzi of France, was forced to retire at 6-3, 2-0 due to injury.
The final got off to an electrifying start, with a packed Le Liberté Arena, two highly motivated players, and a tightly contested opening. Bonzi managed to break serve and take a 3-1 lead in the first set, setting the stage for an intense battle.
However, the unpredictable nature of sports intervened. Unfortunately, Bonzi suffered an adductor injury midway through the first set. Although he briefly left the court for treatment at the end of the set, he was unable to recover sufficiently to continue the match.
Starting the second set with a break down, the Frenchman ultimately decided to retire at 2-0. This turn of events crowned Cressy as the champion of the €118,000 ATP Challenger Tour hard-court event.
Standing ovation for the champion 👏
Maxime Cressy claims his first title of the year after beating Bonzi 6-3, 2-0(ret) in Rennes!#ATPChallenger | @OpenBlotRennes pic.twitter.com/VUoFWf7e8s
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) September 17, 2023
“This is the best Challenger I’ve ever played,” said Cressy during the on-court ceremony. “It was truly an incredible atmosphere, congratulations to all of you. Benjamin, I’m sorry for what happened; it’s tough for me as well. You’re an excellent player, and you’ll be at the top very soon. I wish you all the best in the future. And thank you to my team who ‘survived’ with me this week.
“I was very nervous at the beginning. There was a lot of the crowd, mostly supporting Benjamin. I’ve played with the crowd against me before, and I think I managed it very well, despite a few double faults at the start of the match. I gritted my teeth, tightened up my game. That was the key to turning around that first set.
The atmosphere here is similar to ATP events. I haven’t played many Challengers in France, but the organization was perfect, there was a great crowd, a fantastic atmosphere… Just like an ATP tournament.”
The World No. 126 lifted his fourth ATP Challenger Tour career trophy and earned € 16,020 in prize money as well as 100 ATP Ranking points.
Bonzi said: “Thank you for making this tournament one of the most enjoyable to play in France. I would have liked to have been able to compete more, but congratulations to Max for this week. Congratulations to the organization. I know all the work that goes into it. Bravo to the volunteers, ball boys, line judges, the ATP team, Matthieu (Blesteau)… apologies if I’m forgetting anyone. I hope this tournament continues for many years. Keep making it even greater.”
