The dream has passed.
Passed very, very close.
Ugo Humbert was on the verge of creating the feat.
Has a ball even.
The French, world number 34, has indeed offered two match points against the eccentric and fiery Nick Kyrgios (No. 47), this Wednesday during the second round of the Australian Open.
But at the end of an undecided standoff, it was the Australian who finally won at the end of the suspense (5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6 -4) and 3 h 25 of combat in front of a boiling hot audience.
Humbert however obtained two match points in the fourth set at 5-4, but he could not conclude.
The French then himself saved, on his serve, a match point at 5-3 in the last set.
He came back to 5-4, but the Australian who then served for the match did not pass up his chance.
"I don't even know what to say, I'm lost for words" @NickKyrgios is all of us right now 🙌👏 # AusOpen |
# AO2021 pic.twitter.com/oQlGxpGu3S
- #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 10, 2021
Despite the defeat and disappointment, Humbert, 22, proved that he had nothing to envy his opponent, ex-world No. 13 supported by the public at Melbourne Park (72 winning shots against 65 in Kyrgios).
“He's a hell of a player, he plays amazing tennis,” Kyrgios said of Humbert after the game.
In the next round, Kyrgios will face world No.3 Dominic Thiem, a finalist last year and winner in September at the US Open of his first Grand Slam tournament.