Benjamin Bonzi saw his impressive run at the Winston-Salem tournament come to an end in the semifinal round, falling to Peru’s Ignacio Buse in three sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. The French player, who fought through the earlier rounds with determined performances on the hard courts of North Carolina, couldn’t sustain his momentum against a sharp-playing Buse in the final stretch.
The defeat halts a notable surge for Bonzi at the ATP Tour event, which serves as a key final tune-up ahead of the US Open. Facing off against the rising Peruvian competitor, Bonzi dropped the opening set before mounting a spirited response in the second. However, Buse seized control in the deciding third set, securing the victory and moving forward to the tournament’s final stage.
Match Breakdown and Turning Points
From the opening games, Buse established control from the baseline, dictating the tempo and putting pressure on Bonzi’s service games. The first set slipped away as Bonzi struggled to find his rhythm, surrendering breaks that allowed the Peruvian qualifier to comfortably take the opener 6-2.
Momentum shifted in the second set as Bonzi adjusted his court positioning, finding success by stepping inside the baseline and shortening the points. The Frenchman broke serve and fended off late pressure to claim the second set 4-6, evening the match and forcing a deciding third frame.
Any hopes of a complete comeback were extinguished early in the third set, however. Buse recaptured the aggressive form of the opener, dismantling Bonzi’s service games and racing through the final frame 6-1 to close out the match.
Looking Ahead to Flushing Meadows
Despite the disappointment of the semifinal exit, Bonzi’s week in Winston-Salem provides valuable match practice and competitive sharpness heading into the final Grand Slam of the season. Hard-court preparation reaches its peak in New York, where players look to translate summer form into major success.
For Buse, the victory marks a significant milestone as he advances deeper into elite-level ATP competition. Fans and analysts tracking the tour can follow upcoming tournament updates and official match schedules through the Association of Tennis Professionals at the official ATP Tour website.
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