Benjamin Bonzi edged past Cameron Norrie 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in the final of the Moselle Open in Metz to win the first ATP Tour title of his career.
Bonzi fired 10 aces and won 75% of his first serve points. The Frenchman took a 1-0 lead in his head-to-head series against Norrie.
Both players held their serves to love in the first two games. Norrie earned the first break in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Bonzi broke straight back in the next game to draw level to 4-4. Norrie earned ten break points in the 9th game, but Bonzi saved them to hold serve for 5-4. The set went on serve en route to the tie-break, where Norrie earned his first set point at 6-5. Bonzi saved the first break point and won three consecutive points to clinch the tie-break 8-6 after 68 minutes with a forehand.
Bonzi converted his only break point in the third game of the second set and held on his next service games to seal the title.
Bonzi won 62% of points at the net. He came through two qualifying rounds before beating Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round and second seed Casper Ruud in the second round. “I am coming back from very far away this year. It was a very tough season. I was not expecting a week like that. That’s crazy to finish the year like that. Facing Cameron in the final is very tough. He has been in a lot of finals before. He has won 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”, said Bonzi.
