After a peaceful and composed Tallon Griekspoor took down Russian eighth seed Aslan Karatsev 7-6(4) 6-1 within the first semifinal on the Tata Open Maharashtra on early Friday night, he awaited a “very particular” and uncommon all-Dutch last. Botic van de Zandschulp, seeded second, was the favorite within the second singles tie of the night, in opposition to world no.60 Benjamin Bonzi. However the resilient Frenchman held off the Netherlands star, profitable 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-1, to arrange title conflict with Griekspoor.
Griekspoor placed on an immaculate serving efficiency, profitable and dropping on 4 factors every behind his first and second serve, which finally proved to be the distinction in opposition to three-time tour-level titlist Karatsev. The world no.95 had notched up a memorable 2021 season, profitable eight Challenger-level titles, a world file in itself, however has didn’t emulate the identical on ATP tour, having by no means made it previous the quarters.
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Just like the 26-year-old, Bonzi too is a file holder with six Challenger trophies in the identical 2021 season, three of which got here in consecutive tournaments, nonetheless, he has managed to go a number of steps forward of Griekspoor when it comes to reproducing the identical stage in ATP tour occasions. Within the 2022, he reached the semis twice – at Open 13 in Marseilles and in Mallorca Championships – and misplaced on each events. However on Friday night time, not solely did he cross that barrier within the very first occasion of his 2023 season, Bonzi managed to crack the Botic code in his third try, having misplaced twice earlier than in final three years.
Whereas it was high-class serving for Griekspoor, Bonzi was spectacular on the return in opposition to the world no.35 as he transformed 4 of the 11 break factors. He had raced to a 4-2 lead within the second set earlier than Botic rallied again to drive a decider after profitable the tie-breaker. Bonzi nonetheless bounced again in supreme vogue, conceding solely six factors in his 5-0 lead within the third set earlier than closing it 6-1.
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What’s at stake at Tata Open Maharashtra Last?
First tour-level title
Each Bonzi and Griekspoor may have an opportunity at bagging their first ever ATP title. That is additionally the primary ATP Tour last that includes each first-time finalists since 2022 Munich when Holger Rune beat Botic van de Zandschulp.
Bonzi to turn into French No.1 with title
If Bonzi emerges because the winner, he’ll bounce 19 locations up the ATP rankings chart to take a career-high place of 41. This can subsequently make him the the top-ranked French participant within the ATP tour, surpassing Adrian Mannarino, who’s ranked 43 on the planet.
A Dutch delight awaits
With a win, Griekspoor may turn into the primary Netherlands participant since Schalken at 2001 Stockholm to win a tour-level laborious court docket title. He’s but to lose a set (6-0) this week in Pune. A title win will even see the him bounce 34 locations to take the 61th rank. He’s nonetheless, at current, assured a bounce to rank 76 on the ATP chart.
Tallon Griekspoor vs Benjamin Bonzi – Head-to-head tie
They confronted one another solely as soon as earlier than, again in 2017 within the first spherical of the Internationaux de Tennis de Blois. Bonzi had gained 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(1).
“It’s humorous I’m taking part in in opposition to Tallon, he beat me on that Challenger 12 months. It was loopy,” Bonzi stated within the post-match press convention after his semi-final win.
“Me and Bonzi are of the identical age. We principally performed juniors collectively. We have now recognized one another for a very long time,” Griekspoor added.
Tallon Griekspoor vs Benjamin Bonzi – Stats from fifth Tata Open
SERVE STATS
| Tallon Griekspoor | Benjamin Bonzi | |
| 1st serve factors gained | 85.08% (97/114) | 75.67% (140/185) |
| 2nd serve factors gained | 64.28% (36/56) | 55.67% (54/97) |
| Service video games gained | 30/31 | 38/45 |
RETURN STATS
| Tallon Griekspoor | Benjamin Bonzi | |
| Factors gained in opposition to 1st serve | 31.08% (36/113) | 34.9% (65/186) |
| Factors gained in opposition to 2nd serve | 39.3% (24/61) | 54.08% (53/98)) |
| Return Video games gained | 7/30 | 14/42 |
| Break Factors transformed | 7/15 | 14/32 |