On Friday, April 25, 2025, Benjamin Bonzi made a significant mark at the Madrid Masters 1000 by eliminating Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling second-round match. The Frenchman, currently ranked 62nd in the world, showcased his impressive skills on clay, winning in straight sets 6-4, 7-5 in just 1 hour and 29 minutes.
This victory is particularly meaningful for Bonzi, who had not won a match on the ATP circuit since January, when he reached the third round of the Australian Open. After a challenging start to the season, the 28-year-old from Nîmes seems to have found his footing at the Caja Mágica, a venue where he is now starting to make his presence felt.
In his match against Hurkacz, the Polish player ranked 28th in the world and a two-time Masters 1000 champion (having won in Miami in 2021 and Shanghai in 2023), Bonzi displayed remarkable resilience. The turning point came in the first set when he broke Hurkacz's serve at 4-4, regaining control after being broken earlier in the match. Bonzi maintained his composure and secured the first set.
The second set was a nail-biter, with both players exchanging powerful shots and holding serve until the score reached 5-5. It was then that Bonzi seized the opportunity, breaking Hurkacz's serve again and confidently closing out the match. "Statement win!" tweeted Tennis TV, capturing the excitement of Bonzi's performance.
Looking ahead, Bonzi is set to face either American Taylor Fritz, currently ranked 4th, or Australian Christopher O'Connell, ranked 87th, in the next round. This match will be crucial for Bonzi as he aims to secure his place in the round of 16, a significant achievement in his career.
While Bonzi celebrated his victory, two of his compatriots faced disappointing exits from the tournament. Arthur Rinderknech, ranked 76th, fell to Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 after a promising start where he took an early lead. Rinderknech managed to break Ruud's serve to go up 2-1, but the Norwegian quickly regained his form, winning four consecutive games to take control of the first set.
In the second set, Ruud's early break proved decisive as he continued to apply pressure, ultimately securing his advancement in just over an hour of play. Rinderknech's loss comes after a successful first-round match against Roman Safiullin, but the challenge of facing a top player like Ruud proved too great.
Meanwhile, Harold Mayot also faced elimination, falling to Francisco Cerundolo, who is ranked 20th in the world. Cerundolo won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, in a match that lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes. Mayot had entered this match after benefiting from Corentin Moutet's withdrawal in the first round, but he could not capitalize on the momentum.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will undoubtedly remain on Bonzi's unexpected rise and the challenges faced by Rinderknech and Mayot. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Madrid Masters 1000 is proving to be a thrilling showcase of talent and determination.
In summary, Benjamin Bonzi's impressive victory over Hubert Hurkacz marks a significant turnaround in his season, while his fellow French players Rinderknech and Mayot will reflect on missed opportunities as they exit the tournament. The next matches promise to be just as exciting, with Bonzi looking to continue his journey in Madrid.
