His backhand defense, floating, at the end of the race, a little desperate, seemed never to arise. Kevin Anderson did not volley it, believing the ball would come out. She finally married the baseline, delicately, to give Hugo Gaston “a victory that counts”, as he intended. It counts because it is the qualifications of Bercy (Masters 1000), that the Toulousain needs to validate his entry into the Top 100 and his ticket for the next Australian Open. It also counts because the South African (61st, 35 years old), immense server with the physique of Springbok (2m01), double finalist in Grand Slam (US Open 2017, Wimbledon 2018) and former world No.5, is still part of the “10 best players of the circuit on hard indoor” as specified by Marc Barbier. It finally counts because it was acquired at the end of an intense battle (7-6 (13), 2-6, 7-6 (1) in 2h36 ‘), with a stunning scenario, Hugo Gaston having saved two balls match in the last set (at 5-3, on his serve): “I wanted to force him to serve for the match, I thought he could give me some points. That’s what happened. past. I stayed strong. ” And inspired. He had also been in the decisive game of the first set, interminable (15-13), during he had dismissed two set points before concluding on his 8th opportunity.

Bonzi eliminated,

but really not helped!

In the front row of court n ° 2 at the Accor Arena, often grinding his gray cap by twitching and to relieve stress, “the jaw a little tight under the mask”, Marc Barbier lived a great moment, comparable to the final of his protégé in Gstaad (ATP 250), last July, when he had already shone at Bercy in 2019 (victory over Londero, 51st). An achievement, “his greatest indoor”, that the coach, always concerned about the basis of progress, very quickly contextualized: “If we use it as a reference match, we will create frustration. It’s a match for the top of the basket, as 10-15 can be in a season because Hugo is able to pick up guys from the Top 20. The benchmark must be a success like the one against Caruso, in Brest, who was 70th, always serious and that Hugo beat cleanly (6-3, 6-4). mental, rigorous, routine. No physique and technique. ” Next test today against Lorenzo Musetti (67th), great Italian hope (19) and old acquaintance of the junior circuit.

Benjamin Bonzi was much less fortunate. Forgotten from the final table, while his rank (63rd) deserved an invitation, scheduled in 7th rotation, left to play at midnight, the other Toulousain finally challenged Yoshihito Nishioka (82nd) ​​at 9:40 pm, on the Central, opened in emergency seen the delay of the program. He lost in 2 sets (4-6, 6-7) and 1h48 ‘.