Six French players competed at the home Paris Masters on Wednesday. With Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev in action, only three home players could enter Court Central, and the top-ranked French Ugo Humbert was not among them!
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Humbert's frustration
Ugo battled against Marcos Giron on Court 1 and provided a rock-solid 6-3, 6-2 victory in 59 minutes, moving into the last 16 and arranging the clash against world no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. Humbert was delighted with his performance but did not like the organizers' decision to schedule him on the smaller court after being the French No. 1. However, Ugo was aware that his next match would come on Court Central, arranging another clash with Alcaraz in front of the partisan crowd.
Ugo's numbers against Marcos
The home favorite used the fast indoor court to attack Giron and impose his strokes. Ugo fired nine aces and dropped 14 points in nine service games, losing serve once from the only break chance offered to Marcos. The American could not match that pace, taking three of 19 points behind the second serve and suffering four breaks from five chances provided to the 15th seed. Humbert landed 24 winners and 23 unforced errors, leaving his opponent on a 5-12 ratio and forging the advantage in service winners as well as from the baseline and at the net. The home star took charge in the shortest and mid-range exchanges, imposing his strokes and sailing into the last 16.
Humbert makes a reliable start
The Frenchman delivered two breaks in the opening set and clinched it 6-3. The American experienced a blow in the second game of the encounter, wasting a 40-0 lead and suffering a break after a forced error. Ugo cemented the advantage with a forehand crosscourt winner in the third game before losing the advantage after a wild forehand in game five, bringing Marcos back to the positive side. Giron could not stay there for too long, losing serve in the sixth game after a lucky net cord and Humbert's backhand crosscourt winner. A left-hander served for the opener at 5-3 and landed a service winner for a hold at love and the opening set on his tally after 31 minutes.
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Ugo seals the deal in style
The Frenchman served well in the second set and mounted the pressure on the other side. He grabbed a break at 15 in the first game after the American's wild forehand and secured a return game at love at 2-0 for a massive advantage. Humbert felt no pressure behind the initial shot, firing a service winner for a hold at love at 5-2 and moving over the top in no time.
"I played a very good match. The conditions are faster on this smaller court, and I played aggressive tennis on serve and return. I did not let my rival breathe, and I'm delighted with my performance. I felt disappointed to play outside the center court. I'm the top-ranked French player, and I deserve better at the home Masters 1000 event. This is my favorite tournament, and I should have played on the main court. I'm a very nice person, and sometimes it's used against me. My next match against Carlos Alcaraz will be on center court for sure," Ugo Humbert said.
