Bonzi Makes a Strong Start in Madrid Against Cilic

Benjamin Bonzi had only won two matches in Challenger events since the Australian Open and was on a three-match losing streak.

He faced Marin Cilic on Wednesday in the first round of the Madrid Masters 1000. The Croatian, meanwhile, was coming off a final at the Madrid Challenger and had received a wild card from the tournament organizers.

The start of the match leaned in Cilic’s favor, with four break points in Bonzi’s first two service games, but the Frenchman managed to fend them off.

Bonzi then relaxed and managed to break his opponent before cruising through the second set to ultimately secure a 6-3, 6-2 victory.

In the second round, he will face Hubert Hurkacz, who hasn’t played since Indian Wells due to a back injury.