Moselle Open: Cameron Norrie denied first title of year as Benjamin Bonzi wins in straight sets in Metz

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Cameron Norrie was denied a first title of 2024 as he was beaten by Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets at the Moselle Open. The Frenchman, the world No. 124, defeated the Briton 7-6(6) 6-4 in Metz in what was Norrie's first tour-level final since February 2023. The Brit had a set point in the first set which he did not take, and he was punished in the second, as Bonzi produced a clinical performance.

Highlights: Norrie beats Moutet in straight sets to reach Moselle Open final

Video credit: SNTV

Cameron Norrie missed out on a season-ending title as he was beaten at the Moselle Open by Benjamin Bonzi.

Norrie, who had been out with a forearm injury for two months, reached his first tour-level final since February 2023 in Metz, beating Corentin Moutet to reach Saturday’s showdown with home favourite Bonzi, but he was defeated in straight sets 7-6(6) 6-4.

The Briton arrived in north east France in poor form, having lost in the qualifying of the Paris Masters to Quentin Halys and been knocked out in the opening rounds in Stockholm and Vienna to Miomir Kecmanovic and Frances Tiafoe respectively.

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The 29-year-old had fought hard to reach the final, going the distance in three of his matches, beating Roberto Carballes Baena, Luca van Assche, and Zizou Bergs, before he swept past Moutet to set up an encounter with Bonzi.

However, he was overpowered by the Frenchman on Saturday afternoon, despite having the upper hand for most of the opening set.

Norrie staved off two break points at 2-1 down in the first, and found his rhythm to go up 4-3, securing the match’s first break at the third time of asking.

However, he was broken straight back in the following game, but he desperately tried to regain his advantage as 10 break-point opportunities passed him by as Bonzi held firm on his serve.

The Frenchman forced a tie-break, earning a mini-break on Norrie’s first service point, but the Brit levelled at 4-4, and served for the set at 6-5, but missed his chance.

Instead, Bonzi, the world No. 124, gobbled up his opportunity, converting his first set point to seize the initiative.

In the second set, Bonzi broke in the third game and did not look back. He needed just the one break point to snatch the advantage, and he served resolutely to ensure that Norrie did not snare a break back.

He closed the affair out confidently, needing just one match point to end Norrie’s hopes of a first title of the year as his swerving body serve was lashed wide by the Brit.

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Video credit: SNTV

“It was the last week of the year for us, and it felt really special,” Norrie said afterwards. “It was nice to make the final.

“Ben, you were too good today. No player has won more matches than you in the last month and a half, so you really deserved it. You played better than me, stayed tougher than me. It’s a really special one; the first title, and it probably feels even more special to win it at home. You’re back where you belong in the top 100.”

A delighted Bonzi told Sky that a maiden ATP Tour title was a “crazy” end to the season.

“That was amazing," Bonzi said. "I’m coming back from very far away this year. A very tough season. It’s been way better in the last few weeks, but I was not expecting a week like that. It’s crazy to finish a year like this. I’m back in the top 100, my first title in the ATP. It’s amazing. I don’t know what to say.

“I was ready. The challenge was to remind myself of what I was capable of in the last few weeks. Facing Cameron in the final is very tough.

“He’s been in a lot of finals before and won before. I did too, but lost twice. The final was amazing. I kept telling myself to go for it; this was my chance. I took the first set after a very tough battle, and kept serving till the end, which is amazing.”

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