Hurkacz, Medvedev, Bublik… A nice picture for Ugo Humbert.
Beating world No. 4 Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final, the Frenchman did not miss the opportunity to end a magnificent week and claim the second ATP 500 of his career by dominating the talented and whimsical Kazakh Alexander in the final. Bublik (6-4, 6-3).
On Monday, the Messin with the backwards cap, who had peaked in 25th place three years ago before a difficult period (poor form, injuries), will enter the top 15 in the world (14th).
The Lorraine has adopted the adage “a final cannot be played, it must be won”.
The six times he had the trophy within reach, the Habs did not miss the opportunity to slip it into their luggage.
He is only the 3rd player in the Open era to have achieved such a performance... A few weeks after winning in Marseille (ATP 250), Humbert, aggressive with his left paw, hardly trembled to confirm his form of the moment.
Barely a break point to clear at 2-2 in the first set.
CHAMPIOOOOOON 🫡🇫🇷
Ugo Humbert wins the ATP 500 in Dubai, his second title of the season after Marseille 🏆#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/hK8Q3mAsmK
— FFT (@FFTennis) March 2, 2024
Put under pressure on all his service games, Bublik delayed the deadline for a long time thanks to the few strokes of genius tinged with nonchalance that are customary to him.
But the Kazakh ended up cracking at 5-4 with two double faults, one of which was on a set point…
Heading for the American tour
In the second round, the protégé of Jérémy Chardy (absent in the Emirates), coached in Dubai by his fellow player Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, went it alone by quickly taking my challenge from his opponent.
A little caught up in his emotions when finishing at 5-3, Humbert earned the right to lie down on the court on his second match point, a perfect sequence of outside service and uncrossed forehand.
With two titles in the 3rd category of ATP events (behind the Grand Slams and the Masters 1000), Humbert is only ahead of veteran Gaël Monfils (3).
The French No. 1 will now head for the American tour and the two Masters 1000s in Indian Wells and Miami.
Two events where he never managed to pass more than two laps.
But that was before…