Benjamin Bonzi eliminates Ugo Humbert in five sets in the first round of the US Open

In the second Franco-French duel of the first round of the US Open, after the victory of Arthur Rinderknech against Quentin HalysBenjamin Bonzi got the better of Ugo Humbert (7-6 [1]6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 6-2) after a game with twists and turns.

First in difficulty, until being led 5-3 and seeing Humbert serve to win the first set, the 50th in the world completely reversed the situation in a few minutes. Suddenly more aggressive, as his opponent tensed, he first unbroken then flew over the decisive game (7-1). On the heels of an ideal end of the round, he clearly dominated the second set.

Humbert comes back two sets behind

“The start was a bit complicated, you had to take your bearingsobserves Bonzi. In these conditions (very humid), the hardest part is the beginning. Skip the first 30-45 minutes. Once you’re soaked it’s ok (smile). At first there is not a change of side where I do not put powder on my hands to dry. From the moment my body is used to it, I never recover from the match. »

At 5-5 in the third set, Bonzi got two break points that would have allowed him to serve for the win of the match. But Humbert bravely brushed them aside and the game turned a second time. More relaxed because his back to the wall, the Messin managed an excellent comeback game to break Lionel Zimbler’s colt and return to two sets to one.

“It’s stupid not to make one of the two break points at 5-5, behind I find myself in danger on a game where I give him an easy point with a double fault, regret the Frenchman. He is taking his chances more and more, he is also gaining confidence and with his hyper aggressive game it is not easy. »

Loudly supported by Jérémy Chardy, his new coach, Humbert, who fell to 138th in the world after twelve very delicate months, regained part of what had allowed him to reach 25th place at the ATP in June 2021: an illegible left-handed serve, an effective flat backhand and a formidable attacking game. In legs, he logically pocketed the fourth set.

But from the start of the decisive set, Bonzi regained the upper hand. “I had a little more energy than him, he explains. I still felt very good at the end of the match, I think it worked. I think I’m fresher than him from the fourth. In his game, I feel that he tries to shorten as much as possible and it worked well for him. But as soon as it was a little longer, I took the advantage. I had to manage to give it a little more, counter him from time to time and remind him that I was there. Physically, I think I was above. »