The Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi, 108th player in the world, qualified for the third round of the US Open tennis on Wednesday by triumphing over the American Chris Eubanks (N.30 in the world), seeded N.28, 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (9/7).
The 27-year-old from Nîmes is already assured of his best result at the US Open, where he reached the second round last year.
In difficult conditions, with a noisy American public and completely committed to the cause of Eubanks, Bonzi showed composure, in particular on a passing-shot from behind which allowed him to win the first set.
After quickly giving up the second set, the Frenchman took advantage of Eubanks’ slowdown on his serve, with 3 double faults and a weakness on the second ball, well exploited by the Frenchman.
In the fourth set, Eubanks seemed to lack momentum, committing 24 unforced errors in that set alone.
Bonzi nevertheless needed a decisive game and three match points to conclude, after a very feverish end to the match.
In the third round, the Frenchman will face the Swiss surprise Dominic Stricker, another top-seeded cutter, who offered himself the seventh player in the world, Stefanos Tsitsipas, in the second round.
