The French No. 1, Ugo Humbert, will try to take his revenge against the world No. 2, Alexander Zverev, for a place in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, this Sunday from 8 a.m.
At the beginning of November in Bercy, “when I took 2 and 2 in front of 15,000 people, I still felt a little alone”laughed the 26-year-old Messin. “He played really well, he was” impossible to overflow, “so here I’m going to try to do it a little differently”continued on the 14the world.
L’ogre Zverev
Last obstacle on the road to a first Grand Slam quarter-final for Ugo Humbert, Alexander Zverev has impressed since the start of the Australian fortnight. The 27-year-old German is the only qualifier for the round of 16 not to have conceded a set in the first three rounds.
“Everyone knows what my goals and dreams are, right? »launched before the tournament Alexander Zverev, still in search of a first Grand Slam title after two lost finals, at the US Open in 2020 and at Roland-Garros in 2024. “When you arrive at a Grand Slam as world number 2, you can only want to win the tournament”warned Humbert’s executioner at Bercy.
“No choice”
The Frenchman does not leave beaten in advance, however, recalling that he has already defeated Zverev in his native country, on the turf of Halle in 2021. Sunday’s meeting is also the first on neutral ground, after this duel won by the Frenchman in Germany and two victories for Zverev against Humbert in Paris. “I am capable of beating the very bestinsists the French No. 1. When I get on court, I believe in it 100% every time, from start to finish, even if I have to stay humble. »
-“I played Alcaraz and Djokovic in my last two eighths” Grand Slam finals, in 2019 and in 2024 at Wimbledon, remembers the left-hander with the backwards cap. “Here I play Zverev, it’s not one of the easiest rounds, but if I want to go further,” in major tournaments, “I have no choice, I’m going to have to beat these kinds of players”Humbert still considers.
Shoulder pain
The French No. 1 will perhaps be inspired by the feat of his elder Gaël Monfils (41e), who eliminated Saturday the 4the world Taylor Fritz. Massaged in the shoulder during his victory in 3e round against Arthur Fils, forced to abandon by foot pain, Humbert assured Friday that there was no medical concern to have concerning him.
“I hurt myself on a serve, I felt that something had moved, and it created tension for meexplained Messin. As soon as I raised my arm to serve, I couldn’t extend myself 100%, and afterwards I had pain on my backhand. “. But after the massage, “It was getting better and better. Honestly I’m not super worried, it’ll be fine”guarantees Humbert.
Sunday January 19, at 8 a.m. French time.
