METZ/WASHINGTON, November 9, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

From qualifier to champion in the span of a week, Benjamin Bonzi won his first ATP Tour title by capturing the ATP 250 Moselle Open indoor crown in Metz, France Saturday afternoon.

The 124th-ranked Frenchman, who turned pro in 2015, defeated No. 57 Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, 7-6 (6), 6-4, in an hour and 54 minutes of exciting and entertaining tennis. After entering Metz with an 0-6 tour-level win-loss record this season, Bonzi won seven straight matches on home soil to lift the champion’s trophy. He kept Norrie from winning a sixth career ATP Tour title in his first indoor final.

C’est magique

The moment @BenjaminBonzi finished off Norrie for his maiden ATP title on home soil in Metz! @MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/aUWWoYduhg

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 9, 2024

It was Bonzi’s week to excel — with victories against Marc-Andrea Huesler and Manuel Guinard in qualifying, then Roberto Bautista Agut, World No. 7 and second seed Casper Ruud, Quentin Halys, No. 8 seed Alex Michelsen and Norrie in the main draw — and it was the 13th time in 21 editions that the Moselle Open has been won by a French player.

Since the start of October, Bonzi has gone 21-1 across all levels — winning two ATP Challenger Tour titles in Roanne and St. Brieuc, France, while reaching the final in a third one in Brest, France. He became the fourth qualifier to win an ATP Tour title in 2024. The Frenchman will rise to No. 78 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday following his Metz title win.

“It’s amazing,” Bonzi said in his on-court interview before the trophy ceremony. “I’m coming back from very far away this year. It was a very tough season. It’s way better than it could have been. I was not expecting all this success. It’s crazy to finish the year like this. I’m back into the Top 100. It’s amazing. I don’t know what to say.”

New king of Metz @BenjaminBonzi | @FFTennis | @atptour pic.twitter.com/xV3jWNKFju

— Moselle Open (@MoselleOpen) November 9, 2024

Looking back, Bonzi won the 70-minute opening set by taking advantage of missed opportunities by Norrie. He was pushed hard but managed to win a first-set tie-break 8-6 after his British opponent failed to capitalize on a set point at 6-5.

Earlier, during an almost-15-minute ninth game with the score tied at 4-all, Bonzi converted his first game point after saving 10 break points during a nine-deuce, 24-point marathon that had everyone inside Les Arenes de Metz on the edge of their seats. It was quite the contrast to the first three games of the final, which were characterized by lightening-quick holds from both players.

We are not worthy

Tremendous court coverage and what a finish, @BenjaminBonzi!@MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/9Tf2FLysg5

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 9, 2024

While Bonzi exuded a quiet, unassuming personality on the court, he was nonetheless all hustle and all business. Focused and carrying a big stick, he broke Norrie early on to go ahead 2-1 as the second set unfolded. Then, Bonzi gained an important hold in consolidating the break for a 3-1 advantage. Soon, he increased his lead to 4-2 and moved to within a game of winning his first ATP Tour title with an easy hold and his ninth service ace to lead 5-3.

Finally, the 28-year-old Nimes native served for the match, ahead 5-4. After gaining match point behind his 10th and last ace, Bonzi won his first tour-level title in his third ATP Tour final after Norrie was unable to hit a clean return on the Frenchman’s serve. Upon securing championship point, Bonzi fell to the ground and began a long-awaited celebration.

Home sweet home

It’s Bonzi’s time in Metz as he wins his first career title, dispatching Norrie 7-6(6) 6-4! @MoselleOpen | #MoselleOpen | @BenjaminBonzi pic.twitter.com/m1rRoUXKnx

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 9, 2024

Bonzi finished with 37 overall winners to 27 unforced errors, compared to 33 winners and 22 unforced errors by Norrie. He won 75 percent of his first-serve points and saved 13 of 14 break points while breaking the Briton’s serve twice in six tries. He outpointed his opponent 81-76.

During his on-court interview, Bonzi said winning the two ATP Challenger titles last month made him ready for the challenges of playing quality opponents like Norrie in Metz. “The Challengers reminded me of what I was capable of,” he acknowledged.

“I knew I could be ready for everything that I would face against Cameron in the final. He’s tough, he’s been in many finals before and won many finals. … This final was amazing.”

Bonzi received his champion’s trophy from four-time Metz titlist and French great Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Incroyable @BenjaminBonzi was 0-6 in ATP matches in 2024 before qualifying at Metz. Seven wins later he’s a champion and back inside the Top-100, rising from 124 to No.78!@MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/N4V0VvTdvQ

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 9, 2024

Dutch/British duo Arends and Johnson win first ATP Tour doubles title

Sander Arends of the Netherlands and Luke Johnson of Great Britain, who made their ATP Tour debut as a team last month at the European Open in Antwerp, have won their first ATP Tour doubles title together in just their third tour-level event.

On Saturday afternoon, the Dutch/British duo defeated French pair Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Albano Olivetti, 6-4, 3-6, 10-3, in just 78 minutes. Arends and Johnson outpointed their opponents 61-56 in collecting their sixth tour-level win in eight matches.

Great week for @luke_johnson94 with Sander Arends bagging their first @atptour title as a pair

@MoselleOpen pic.twitter.com/i7N0VIlPuS

— LTA (@the_LTA) November 9, 2024

After teaming together for the first time in July and winning a pair of ATP Challenger Tour titles in Porto and Saint-Tropez, Arends and Johnson reached the semifinals in Antwerp and their run to the Metz title included winning four straight match tie-breaks. They upset defending champions Hugo Nys of Monaco and Jan Zielinski of Poland in the quarterfinal round.

Arends, 33, improved to 2-3 in ATP Tour finals, previously winning at Bastad in 2021 with David Pel of the Netherlands. He’s the second Dutchman to win a doubles title in Metz. Johnson, 30, who was playing in his first ATP Tour final, is the fourth British player to win a Moselle Open doubles title.

YES! @luke_johnson94 wins his first @atptour title with Sander Arends

Superb from the duo, who beat Pierre-Hugues Herbert & Albano Olivetti to secure the @MoselleOpen #BackTheBrits pic.twitter.com/LQVZBo7sQX

— LTA (@the_LTA) November 9, 2024

By the numbers

Benjamin Bonzi entered Metz this week with an 0-6 tour-level record this season and now has won his first ATP Tour title in his third final after going 7-0 (2-0 in qualifying and 5-0 in main draw). He is the fifth player and second Frenchman to reach the Metz final as a qualifier.

“Quotable …”

“Facing Cameron in the final is very tough. He has been in a lot of finals before. He [has] win before. I did too, but lost twice. The final was amazing. I kept saying to myself ‘go for it, go and take it, this is your chance.’”

— Benjamin Bonzi, during his on-court interview, after winning the 2024 Moselle Open title.