Ugo Humbert did deserve better after all.
The Frenchman stuck it to Paris Masters organisers on Thursday evening after kicking up a fuss for being snubbed from the Court Central schedule earlier in the tournament.
France’s male No. 1, Humbert, admitted he was ‘disappointed’ after being relegated to Court 1 for his second-round clash with Marcos Giron in Paris. “I think I deserved better,” he said.
Humbert went into the tournament as the 15th seed and battled past Brandon Nakashima in the first round. He made light work of Giron in the second, setting up a bumper round-of-16 showdown with world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.
Having returned to Court Central for Thursday’s match, Humbert put on a show and produced a huge upset to send Alcaraz crashing out. With the bit between his teeth, the 26-year-old walked the first set, surrendered the second and got a burst of energy in the decider to win 6-1 6-3 7-5.
Humbert has enjoyed the best year of his professional life with career-best finishes at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. He also reached new heights in the world rankings by hitting 13th in April.
And the Frenchman will be keen to continue showing Paris Masters bosses that they made a mistake in snubbing him from Court Central as the tournament goes on.
“I’m just super proud of myself that I did it,” said Humbert after converting match point. “It was a crazy match, a crazy atmosphere. I tried to do everything tonight. It was a really big match.
“I went for every shot. That’s why I think I had less energy in the second set and in the third it was a mountain that was with me from the beginning of the third set to the end. I trusted myself in big moments and I made some big shots.”
After what he claims is the biggest win of his career, Humbert will take on Australia’s Jordan Thompson for a place in the semi-finals. And there is little doubt that tournament organisers will give him the Court Central showing his run deserves.
With Thompson the lowest-ranked player left in the draw, Humbert will fancy his chances of forging further into his home tournament. But the Aussie is unlikely to be brushed aside after impressive wins over Casper Ruud and Adrian Mannarino.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk