No more nightmares on clay, make way for daydreaming on grass.
We had left Ugo Humbert with a defeat in the first round Porte d'Auteuil despite a seeded status, concluding a sad season on ocher with a small victory in seven games.
We find him clenched fist in Germany, where, in the space of two tournaments, Messin has completely regained confidence.
After a quarter-final last week in Stuttgart, stopped by Felix Auger-Aliassime, the lanky 22-year-old left-hander (1.88 m) climbed to the final in Halle by taking his revenge against the Canadian, at the end of a fight of 2:37 ended in the tie-break of the third set (6-4, 3-6, 7-6 [5]).
🤩🇫🇷 YES UGO !!!
Humbert defeats Auger-Aliassime (6-4, 3-6, 7-6) and joins Rublev in the final in Halle!
Follow the outcome of the tournament on Eurosport and https://t.co/7qbNJbZqbq pic.twitter.com/6qE0h6AW8Q
- Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) June 19, 2021
Eighth finalist at Wimbledon in 2019, Ugo Humbert did not give up throughout his German week: he won his four matches in three sets, including two in the decisive tie-break.
By dismissing a big server (Querrey), two hopes of world tennis (Korda, Auger-Aliassime) and a "top player" (Zverev), the Habs well deserved their first career final on grass.
Novice at this level (ATP 500), Ugo Humbert, winner of two ATP 250 tournaments (Antwerp, Auckland) will face a major challenge in the final: Andrey Rublev, winner of Basilashvili in the semi-final (6-1, 3 -6, 6-3).
The Russian, 7th in the world, has lifted four of his eight titles in this tournament category.
The only confrontation between the two men turned to Rublev's advantage.
Currently 31st in the world, the Frenchman is sure to climb higher than 29th place, his best ranking since the start of his career. Bodes well as Wimbledon approaches, which starts in just over a week.
