2023-11-02 03:05:12
No feat at the Accor Arena but a great, very great show. Alexander Zverev, 9th player in the world, had to work to eliminate the last French chance Ugo Humbert in the second round this Wednesday evening (6-4, 6-7, 6-7). The Frenchman may harbor regrets. He who had managed to break in the last set bewitched the Center Court for almost three hours and 31 minutes, before giving in to the cheers of the public.
Don’t be fooled by his impassive face. The 25-year-old Messin was ready for this shock from the first round. By relying on a good rate of first balls, and clear intentions on the return, he obtained multiple break points, nine in total. Enough to give hope to a somewhat nervous public, at least in reserve. But Zverev, uncompromising behind his line, conceded nothing and ended up trapping the Frenchman at 4-4 on his only down moment.
The start of the second set was just as difficult. The gap widened between Humbert who was increasingly subjected to the exchange on opposing throws, and a client who remained as clinical as ever. Unfazed, the left-hander did not lose hope and managed to take the German’s serve after 12 attempts to return to 5-5. Staying on this momentum, he made short work of the tie-break. Bercy started to dream big, especially after this converted station wagon. 4-2. Then a fatal blow… Weighed down by a very uneven service, Humbert suffered the law and the experience of Zverev, before losing in the final tie-break. Unbreathable.
Humbert suffers from discomfort leaving the court
“It was nothing, I have nothing to regret, it was a fabulous match, I had a crazy time. What makes me saddest is not having been able to give victory to all those who supported me, pushed me to the end,” Humbert began by saying. He then said he felt unwell after leaving the court.
“I was completely out of breath. Eyes that were starting to close. I said to Jeremy: “I need to lie down and lift my legs, I’m going to leave…” The doctor arrived. Afterwards, I had a coke, I had to lie down for 10 minutes. This happens to me from time to time. »
No French in the third round, the 2018 record equaled
All these strong emotions do not erase an implacable observation. The third round has not yet started and there are already no more Blues on the table. The 2018 record is equaled. In the midst of a renaissance, the 26th in the world leaves the capital with certainties and will be able to rely on this level of play for the coming months. He incidentally becomes the French number one again.
A little earlier in the day, Novak Djokovic had perfectly negotiated his entry into contention against the Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry (6-3, 6-2). Quite the opposite of Daniil Medvedev who is already packing his bags prematurely like Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday. In addition to missing his last Masters 1000 of the season, the Russian was upset several times against Gregor Dimitrov (6-3, 6-7, 7-6) and ended his week with a series of childish middle fingers to the address of the public. A strong moment the likes of which will perhaps never be repeated again between now and the final on Sunday…
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