The Frenchman eliminated Australian Jordan Thompson (6-2, 7-6) this Friday, in the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 in Paris.
There is no way to stop Ugo Humbert. 24 hours after eliminating tournament favorite Carlos Alcaraz, Messin dominated Australian Jordan Thompson, a surprise guest in the quarter-finals. A clear and almost flawless victory 6-2, 7-6. With total confidence in his serve, the 18th in the world lost only three small points on his commitments in a first act dispatched in a few minutes. In the second set the duel is balanced. The Australian, defensively, managed to save two match points on serve in the tenth game, before getting his first break point in the next game and finishing in the next. Despite an ankle strain, Humbert had no doubts and recovered immediately before winning in the tie-break (7-4). He finishes his quarter with a long backhand and a forehand into the top corner. Here he is at 26 years old in the semifinals of a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career. Trust at the zenith. His future opponent in the semifinals: Karen Khachanov, 21st and winner in 2018 or Grigor Dimitrov, finalist in 2018 and 9th in the world, has been notified.
He is also the first Frenchman to reach the final four of a Masters 1000 – the most prestigious tournament after the four Grand Slams – since Richard Gasquet in 2019 in Cincinnati. He is also the eleventh and last Frenchman to reach the final four of the Paris Masters 1000 in Bercy, before he moved to the Paris-la Défense Arena. His coach Jérémy Chardy did not hide his emotions: “It’s never easy to move forward. And he ended up with a loss to Thompson. So I’m proud of him. He had a very serious match. All was well until 6-6, 5-4 and two match points for him. Later his opponent returned. Tennis can change in two minutes. But he made a great tiebreaker. He had been looking for a big result in a big tournament for a long time. The victory against Alcaraz gave him a lot of confidence. He has two more games to dream about. He has made progress in all areas. It was the year in which he won the most games (38). He knows what he has to do on the pitch. It turns on at the right time. He feels the moments of tension more than before. »
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with renowned tennis analyst, Dr. Emilie Duchamp, who is here to dissect the recent stunning performance of French tennis player Ugo Humbert in the Masters 1000 in Paris. Emilie, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Emilie Duchamp: Thank you for having me! It’s exciting to discuss such a thrilling match.
Editor: Ugo Humbert’s victory over Carlos Alcaraz was quite the upset, and his subsequent performance against Jordan Thompson was impressive as well. How did you assess Humbert’s tactical approach in these matches?
Dr. Duchamp: Humbert displayed a remarkable blend of aggression and composure. Against Alcaraz, he took calculated risks and maintained pressure, which resulted in his unexpected victory. With Thompson, he relied heavily on his serve – he lost only three points on his serve in the first set. This dominated the rhythm of the match and put Thompson on the defensive.
Editor: That first set was quite one-sided. What do you think contributed to Humbert’s early dominance?
Dr. Duchamp: His serve was crucial. When a player serves as confidently as Humbert did, it not only aids in securing points quickly but also disrupts the opponent’s strategy. Thompson, as the underdog, perhaps struggled to find his footing early on, which Humbert capitalized on.
Editor: The second set was more competitive with Thompson showing resilience. What changes did you notice in Thompson’s game during that time?
Dr. Duchamp: Thompson adjusted his defensive strategy effectively. He started to read Humbert’s serve better and managed to save two match points – a testament to his grit. However, despite his efforts to find his rhythm, Humbert’s overall confidence and shot placement were hard to contend with, especially with an ankle strain affecting Thompson towards the end.
Editor: Speaking of injuries, how significant do you think Humbert’s ankle strain was in terms of its impact on the match?
Dr. Duchamp: Ankle strains can be tricky; they often affect a player’s mobility and stability. Although Thompson showed great fight, feeling that discomfort, especially during crucial points, could have limited his performance. On the other hand, it appears Humbert was able to push through his own physical challenges without them hindering his concentration.
Editor: With this victory, Humbert seems to be on a roll. What do you anticipate for him in the semifinals and potentially beyond?
Dr. Duchamp: If Humbert continues to harness this level of confidence and composure, he could indeed pose a serious threat to any opponent. His ability to adapt his game, combined with strong serving and baseline play, places him in a favorable position. The pressure of semifinal matches is different, of course, but if he maintains his focus, he can be a strong contender for the title.
Editor: Lastly, how do you think Humbert’s performance will affect his ranking and the perception of him on the ATP Tour?
Dr. Duchamp: Winning in a Masters 1000 event is crucial for a player’s confidence and their ranking points. Humbert’s victory over top players elevates his status on the ATP Tour significantly. He is proving that he can compete at high levels consistently, which will attract attention and respect from both fans and rivals alike.
Editor: Thank you, Emilie, for your insights—it’s always a pleasure to hear your expertise on the sport. We look forward to seeing how Ugo Humbert continues to perform in Paris!
Dr. Duchamp: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to the rest of the tournament as well.