The BNP Paribas Fortis European Open in Brussels kicked off Monday with a flurry of compelling first-round clashes and qualification battles, as several of tennis’s rising stars and seasoned contenders took to the indoor hard courts. The action-packed day saw Benjamin Bonzi notch a second straight victory over towering American Reilly Opelka, while a host of other matchups set the stage for an intriguing week ahead in the Belgian capital.
Benjamin Bonzi, ranked No. 53 in the PIF ATP Rankings, proved once again that he has the formula to handle Reilly Opelka’s thunderous serve. Just eleven days after toppling the 6-foot-11 American in Shanghai, Bonzi repeated the feat in Brussels, prevailing 6-4, 6-4 in a 70-minute duel that showcased his poise and tactical acumen. The Frenchman withstood 13 aces from Opelka, yet managed to string together a pivotal five-game run from 3-3 in the first set, ultimately controlling the match’s tempo and momentum.
Reflecting on his win, Bonzi remarked in his on-court interview, “Of course it’s easier when you played someone the past week, and I knew how he would serve. But it’s completely different conditions here than Shanghai. It was way slower in China. Here it is pretty fast. It’s indoors, so his serve is way more efficient. I’m very happy with the way I managed to return his serve and play the points when I succeeded in putting the ball back in the court. It was a great first match here.” (According to ATP Tour interview)
Bonzi’s victory not only extends his head-to-head advantage over Opelka this October but also marks a positive turn in a season that has seen its share of ups and downs. Now holding a 14-19 record for the 2025 season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Bonzi is looking to recapture the form that saw him dominate indoor events in 2024, when he posted a staggering 21-1 record and lifted his first ATP Tour crown in Metz. Next up for the Frenchman is a second-round encounter against either sixth seed Sebastian Baez or fellow countryman Valentin Royer—a matchup sure to test his mettle as he aims to build momentum deep into the tournament.
For Opelka, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, especially given his solid 2025 season that includes a 28-24 win-loss record and a runner-up finish in Brisbane. The American, currently ranked No. 64, managed a 2-2 record on indoor hard courts this year but has yet to truly hit his stride at ATP 250 events. Monday’s defeat in Brussels adds another chapter to a rivalry with Bonzi that is quickly becoming one to watch, with their overall head-to-head now tilting in the Frenchman’s favor after back-to-back wins.
Elsewhere in the main draw, the anticipation is building for Joao Fonseca’s debut at the European Open. The Brazilian, ranked No. 43, is set to face Botic Van De Zandschulp (No. 84) in what will be their first career meeting on the main tour. Fonseca enters with a 34-15 record for 2025, buoyed by title-winning runs at the Canberra Challenger, Buenos Aires, and Phoenix Challenger. His lone previous encounter with Van De Zandschulp came in Davis Cup action in 2024, where Fonseca emerged victorious 6-4, 7-6(3) in Bologna. The Dutchman, meanwhile, has struggled on indoor hard courts this season, posting an 0-4 record, but will be eager to turn things around after a runner-up finish in Salem earlier this year.
Qualification rounds also provided plenty of drama, with Yannick Hanfmann and Pierre-Hugues Herbert both looking to secure their spots in the main draw. Hanfmann, ranked No. 150, took the court against Tibo Colson (No. 502) at 1:30 pm on Court 1. Hanfmann’s 2025 campaign has been marked by consistency, notching a 37-24 record and an impressive 3-0 tally on indoor hard surfaces. His best result came with a finals appearance at the Hagen Challenger, and he’s eager to build on that momentum in Brussels. Colson, representing Belgium, brings a 33-15 record into the clash, with a strong 4-2 showing on indoor hard courts and finals appearances at M15 Doha, M25 Doha, and M15 Duffel.
Pierre-Hugues Herbert, another player with an eye on the main draw, faced Nikoloz Basilashvili in the day’s opening qualification match. Herbert, the Frenchman ranked No. 142, boasts a 27-25 season record and has been particularly effective indoors with a 15-6 mark. His journey to the qualification round included a straight-sets win over Jurij Rodionov. Basilashvili, ranked No. 100 and representing Georgia, is no stranger to deep runs on hard courts, holding a 39-28 season record and a 7-2 record indoors, highlighted by a finals appearance at the Bordeaux Challenger. Their first-ever tour-level meeting had all the makings of a tight contest, with odds slightly favoring Basilashvili to edge it in three sets.
Fans eager to follow the action need not worry about missing a beat. The European Open offers a range of live streaming options, with top ATP and WTA events broadcasted online and Challenger-level matches available for free via Challenger TV. For those watching the odds, Tennis Tonic tipped Bonzi to win his opener in three sets, while Hanfmann and Basilashvili were also favored in their respective matchups.
Monday’s slate also featured a solid performance from American Marcos Giron, who dispatched Mattia Bellucci 6-3, 6-4 to set up a second-round meeting with fourth seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Giron, looking to improve on previous head-to-head results against the Spaniard, will need to bring his best as he aims for a breakthrough in Brussels.
The European Open’s opening day was a showcase of emerging talent, tactical battles, and the unpredictable nature of indoor tennis. With Joao Fonseca’s anticipated clash against Van De Zandschulp, Hanfmann and Colson’s qualification duel, and Herbert’s showdown with Basilashvili, the week ahead promises more twists and turns. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes remain on Bonzi—can he sustain his indoor dominance and make another deep run? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Brussels is serving up some first-class tennis.