It took him four match points, but Ugo Humbert ended up winning against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, fourth player in the world and seeded No. 3 in the Olympic tournament in three sets: 2-6, 7-6, 6 -2.
The good series continues for Messin, after eliminating the Spaniard Pablo Andujar (7-6, 6-1) in the first round then the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (4-6, 7-6, 7-5).
After the loss of the first set (6-2), the French clung to finally win the second round in the tie-break.
Visibly affected in the right leg, Stefanos Tsitsipas spent several minutes on the ground before calling on the physiotherapist, just before starting the decisive round.
Humbert, 23, quickly gained the upper hand.
Double break in his pocket, he finally concluded his game with an ace, after saving several break points in the last game.
🎾🇫🇷 Ugo Humbert glue back!
The French pocketed the second round and came back up to Stefanos Tsitsipas.
A crazy tie break mastered by the Mosellan, while his opponent suffers from his ankle #Olympic Games
Follow the match live â–¶ https://t.co/liQngxRkse pic.twitter.com/LjL7KXlRvk
- France tv sport (@francetvsport) July 28, 2021
Karen Khachanov in the next round
The task promises to be just as complicated in the next round, as Humbert, 28th in the ATP standings, will face Russian Karen Khachanov.
Seeded No. 12 in the tournament, he beat Diego Schwartzman earlier in the day, also in three sets (6-1, 2-6, 6-1).
The heat, now well established in Tokyo, could play a decisive role in this meeting.
Several players suffered this Wednesday, including the Spaniard Paula Badosa, who had to leave the court in a wheelchair.
