Next up for Oli is the Italian who beat the French Open champion by a similar score today. Pierluigi Basile is ATP 564 having reached the semis of an ATP 125 Challenger in his last event.
Great win for Oli against one of a group of promising highly-rated Italians coming through. I hope Oli isn't in the same half as Luis Guto Miguel who is a fast rising 2009er!
-- Edited by Oscariyan on Wednesday 2nd of July 2025 02:18:05 PM
Unusually there are 2 Bulgarians in the semis (as well as the Brazilian who Oscariyan mentioned). Oli's next opponent is a Roland Garros semifinalist who is ATP 798 after winning his last M15 event
QF
Oliver Bonding d. (14) Pierluigi Basile (ITA) 6-1 6-4
SF
(4) Ivan Ivanov (BUL) v Oliver Bonding
Doubles SF
Brady/Gusic Wan v (4) Schoenhaus/Vasilev (GER/BUL)
If Oli was 3-0 down in the tiebreak he must have won the last 7 points. His reward is to face another Bulgarian. The last British winner her was Jack PJ in 2021. The list of recent winners includes several who have gone on to the ATP top 100 (most recently Joao Fonseca in 2023), but it is very rare for anyone to do the Roehampton/Wimbledon double (unlike the girls).
Conor/Ben benefited from a walkover
SF
Oliver Bonding d. (4) Ivan Ivanov (BUL) 4-6 6-3 7-6(3)
F
(9) Alexander Vasilev (BUL) v Oliver Bonding
Doubles SF
Brady/Gusic Wan d. (4) Schoenhaus/Vasilev (GER/BUL) w/o
Was at Roehampton today (last minute decision and was definitely worth it!) and was extremely impressed with Oli. Showed great maturity throughout and got through a tricky opening set. Was very solid with good number of first serves and drew errors from his increasingly frustrated opponent. His French coach was there along with his family (I think). Was pretty much always in control and played within himself but I suspected he had higher gears to go to if needed. Never got frustrated and always kept positive and on front foot, often coming to the net to put away some deft volleys. Congrats Oli and lets hope for a good Wimbledon.
Leon Smith was also in attendance along with LTA's Mark Weston.
-- Edited by Oscariyan on Friday 4th of July 2025 04:40:09 PM
Was at Roehampton today (last minute decision and was definitely worth it!) and was extremely impressed with Oli. Showed great maturity throughout and got through a tricky opening set. Was very solid with good number of first serves and drew errors from his increasingly frustrated opponent. His French coach was there along with his family (I think). Was pretty much always in control and played within himself but I suspected he had higher gears to go to if needed. Never got frustrated and always kept positive and on front foot, often coming to the net to put away some deft volleys. Congrats Oli and lets hope for a good Wimbledon.
Leon Smith was also in attendance along with LTA's Mark Weston.
-- Edited by Oscariyan on Friday 4th of July 2025 04:40:09 PM
Great feedback Oscariyan, thank you. Ollie has drawn a seed first round at Wimbledon so tough start.