Ugo Humbert’s Valiant Effort Ends at Monte-Carlo Masters Against Strong Opponent

He was exemplary until the end, but he came across someone stronger than him. Ugo Humbert saw his great adventure come to an end on Friday in the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo against Casper Ruud, 10th in the world and double finalist at Roland-Garros. The Frenchman gave everything, showed impeccable combativeness but logically ended up giving in to the Norwegian in three sets (6-3, 4-6, 6-1) and 2h05 of play on the Rainier-III court. He therefore fails for the third time at the gates of the last four in this prestigious tournament category. His tormentor will challenge world number 1 Novak Djokovic for a place in the final.

Some defeats are less bitter than others. And that suffered by Ugo Humbert this Friday on the Rock is one of them. For what ? Quite simply because the Frenchman, with his warrior attitude, his positive body language, changed the soul of a match which threatened to end. Led 6-3, 2-0 and seeming powerless in the face of his rival’s solid tennis, Messin persevered, clenching his fist after each winning exchange. And he was rewarded for it by instilling doubt in the mind of Ruud, who had nevertheless dominated head and shoulders until now.

A magnificent fighter, Humbert gave in to wear and tear

Carried from one end of the court to the other by the Norwegian’s big bombastic shots, Humbert a priori did not have the weapons to compete from the baseline. But his determination and aggressiveness in the recovery gradually paid off in the second act. So much so that after conceding the break (6-3, 2-2), Ruud completely left the match by offering his commitment to Humbert again on a plate (four errors including two double faults). And the latter showed great character to confirm his advantage after a long game of 12 minutes (6-3, 2-4).

A Marseillaise and Humbert equalize: the end of the 2nd set

Through his punch with a long line forehand, but also his ability to take the ball early with a short cross-court forehand, Humbert gradually pushed Ruud back. And even in the tug-of-war at the back, the balance of power was balanced, the French showing patience to attack the right ball. Returning to a round everywhere, he then felt the need to get off the court to recover from his emotions. A toilet break which perhaps served him more than anything else, breaking his own rhythm. Certainly, Humbert was not broken at the start of the third set but during his next service game, Ruud perfectly exploited his drop in intensity (6-3, 4-6, 3-1).

The Frenchman thus paid for the efforts of the day before during his comeback against Lorenzo Sonego, even if he obtained opportunities to break in the following game, one of which was saved by prodigious defense from the Norwegian. Once back in control, the latter regained all his punch, particularly on the forehand side, and logically hit the nail on the head in a one-sided end to the match. But Humbert will not have to be ashamed: on his worst surface, the Frenchman played uninhibited tennis likely to carry him even further than the 13th place in the world which will be his next Monday.

Heroic Ruud, inventive Humbert… and it’s the Norwegian who clenches his fist

2024-04-12 22:24:00
#Masters #MonteCarlo #Quarterfinals #Ugo #Humbert #Casper #Ruud #gates #semifinals