The step was too high for Ugo Humbert. The Frenchman knew it, the task facing him was very tough against Alexander Zverev. The only player not to have lost a single round in the first week, the world number two is one of the favorites for final victory at the Australian Open. He also remained on a crushing victory against Messin, in November 2024, during the final of the Rolex Paris Masters (6-2, 6-2). This time, the 14th player in the world held up better, but the result was no different (6-1, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, in 2h16).
Eager to avoid such a bitter setback for his first round of 16 in Melbourne, Humbert had promised himself to change things compared to the meeting at Bercy. However, the start of the match must have brought back very bad memories. In difficulty to deliver his rival’s first balls (85% first serve), Jérémy Chardy’s protégé did not exist in the first set, unable to deliver his usual offensive tennis given the length of the German’s ball was embarrassing.
Zverev more consistent
The second round was the only one during which the French number one created an illusion: with his back to the wall, he let go, attempting and achieving improbable winning returns which disconcerted a until then sovereign Zverev. In front of an audience committed to his cause, the Frenchman seemed to enter the trance that inhabits him during his great exploits, as when he triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz at Bercy last year.
-Unfortunately for him, his opponent’s consistency took over. Never panicking, Zverev regained control thanks to his quality of service (19 aces), also taking advantage of Humbert’s numerous unforced errors (41 against 29). Despite a final break point at 3-2 in the fourth set, nothing worked: the world number two was simply too strong and will meet Tommy Paul on Tuesday for a place in the last four.
On the French side, there is only one representative left. This is the eternal Gaël Monfils, 38 years old, who will face the American Ben Shelton on Monday.
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