Ugo Humbert has been very consistent in recent months and has touched interesting peaks, reaching the final at the Rolex Paris Masters in the latter part of last year. The French ace had played really well in the last 2024 Masters 1000, even taking the satisfaction of defeating 4-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16.
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Ugo is also playing very well in this early 2025 and has just reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open. His next opponent will be Alexander Zverev-current world No. 2-who defeated him very decisively in the very final of the Rolex Paris Masters last November.
The German champion is one of the top favorites to lift the trophy on Sunday, January 26, and has yet to lose a set in this edition of the tournament, but he will not be able to afford drops against an opponent who is playing the best tennis of his career.
It is no secret that Sascha is giving his all to finally win a Grand Slam title, and he has made clear progress in recent months, becoming more aggressive from the baseline and showing more courage in high-pressure situations.
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Chardy advises Humbert
In an interview with L'Equipe, Jeremy Chardy - Humbert's coach - presented the tough challenge that awaits his player against Zverev: Sascha won quite easily in the Paris-Bercy final last year, in which Ugo found no solution to put the German in trouble. However, every match is different. In Bercy Ugo overplayed his hand, tried to be too aggressive and close points with excessive haste. Everyone knows that Sascha is very solid from the baseline and it is not easy to shoot winners against him. Humbert will have to be more solid this time, prepare for very long rallies and seize the right moment to make a difference with his shots.
The French player will have less pressure than in the Rolex Paris Masters final, where he felt the weight of his entire country after an outstanding run.
