Hubert Hurkacz Defeats Ugo Humbert in Semi-Finals of Basel ATP 500 Tournament

So close, so far. Ugo Humbert believed in it until the end this Saturday, but he will ultimately not have the opportunity to fight for the trophy in Basel on Sunday. Because Hubert Hurkacz, recently titled in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, blocked his path at the end of the suspense in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 7-6) and a little over two and a half hours (2h38 precisely) in the semi-finals of the Swiss ATP 500 tournament. Thanks to this victory, the Pole is doing well in the race for the Masters, since he is now 9th in the Race. In the final, he will face Félix Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Holger Rune (8th in the race) in two sets (6-3, 6-2).

When a match is played with so few points, it’s difficult not to have regrets if you lose. But Ugo Humbert was able to leave the court with his head held high this Saturday because he shook a player who is very fit at the moment and who could even see himself in Turin to play the Masters tournament in a little over two weeks. This shows if Messin’s level of play is interesting at the moment and if it can be ambitious at Bercy and for next year.

A heroic slip: Hurkacz gave of himself against Humbert, in vain on this point

A sublime resistance in vain

And even more than his tennis quality, it is his tenacity that Humbert is a pleasure to see. After conceding the first set – even though he had obtained the first break points of the match – he could have suffered the blow when Hurkacz obtained a break point at the start of the second act. But on the contrary, he rebelled, finding the key to the restart in the face of a very impressive service (84% of points won behind his first for Hurkacz) to reset the counters.

Better: when he conceded his serve at the worst moment in the 3rd set at 4-3, he didn’t give up anything to break while his rival was serving for the victory. Then, on his own commitment, when his first ball had deserted him, he dismissed two match points and pushed the Polish giant to the tie-break. Although nervous, the latter then tightened the game again and finally folded the matter with a final on his 5th opportunity to conclude. Paradoxically, Humbert was never in a position to win but he nonetheless delivered a superb fight. To be confirmed in Bercy.

FAA like at home

After months of playing backwards, Félix Auger-Aliassime seems to have found the key. Winner at the last minute of Alexander Shevchenko (7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (1)) in the quarters, the Canadian this time defeated number 1 seed Holger Rune (6-3, 6- 2). Without a solution, the Dane lacked realism on his only two break points (0/2). Bleeding on its first (76% points won), FAA rediscovers the joys of a final a year after the last, right here in Basel. A final won against this same Rune. A good omen before the fifth final of his career.

2023-10-28 18:03:00
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