Ugo Humbert secured his place in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters with a thrilling victory over world No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz, captivating the home crowd in a nail-biting three-set match. The 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 victory, achieved in two hours and 16 minutes, showcased Humbert’s resilience and skill as he navigated the intense competition and pressure of facing one of the sport’s top players. This win allowed Humbert, France’s highest-ranked player, to continue his pursuit of the title, much to the delight of an enthusiastic Parisian audience.
The match began with Humbert quickly taking control. He dominated the first set, overwhelming Alcaraz with his aggressive play and capturing a one-sided 6-1 opener in just 26 minutes. Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm, with Humbert consistently outplaying him in both serve and return games. The Frenchman held serve at love to start the match, immediately putting pressure on Alcaraz, who faltered in the following game with a series of uncharacteristic errors. Humbert capitalized on this by earning an early break, establishing a 2-0 lead. The momentum firmly on his side, Humbert expanded his advantage with each rally, and the crowd responded in full support as he quickly surged to a 3-0 lead.
Alcaraz’s challenges continued as Humbert, playing with confidence and precision, forced the Spaniard into further mistakes. A decisive break in the fourth game left Humbert with a commanding 4-0 lead. Sensing a potential opportunity for a “bagel” set, he continued to push, holding serve with relative ease. Alcaraz finally managed to get on the scoreboard in the sixth game with a service winner, bringing the score to 5-1, but Humbert stayed composed, closing out the set 6-1 to an eruption of cheers from the Parisian crowd.
Despite his early struggles, Alcaraz demonstrated his trademark resilience in the second set, raising his level significantly. He found his footing, delivering five solid holds and creating pressure on Humbert’s serve. Alcaraz opened the set with a forehand winner to hold and reached deuce on Humbert’s serve in the next game, hinting at a shift in momentum. Although Humbert managed to hold, it was clear Alcaraz was settling into the match, finding his rhythm, and adapting to the pace set by his opponent.
Alcaraz continued to press in the fourth game, setting up three break points after a series of deuce points. However, Humbert’s determination and sharp serves helped him fend off the Spaniard’s attack, bringing the game home after the sixth deuce to lock the score at 2-2. Alcaraz’s persistence eventually paid off in the sixth game when he broke Humbert for the first time, capitalizing on a rare forehand error from the Frenchman and gaining a 4-2 lead. With newfound confidence, Alcaraz held at 30 in the subsequent game and pushed Humbert to serve to stay in the set at 3-5.
The world No. 2 sealed the set in style, taking it 6-3 with a backhand crosscourt winner, setting up a thrilling third set. After an hour and 13 minutes, the two players found themselves on equal footing, and the Paris crowd buzzed with anticipation as Humbert and Alcaraz returned to the court for the deciding set.
Both players maintained high levels of intensity in the final set, each holding serve and refusing to yield an inch. Humbert displayed impressive composure, particularly in the tense opening game and again in the fifth, where he survived three deuces to prevent Alcaraz from seizing an early advantage. As the set progressed, neither player was able to break the other’s serve, each securing holds with solid first serves. Humbert notched a hold at love in the seventh game, and Alcaraz answered with an ace in the following game, tying the score at 4-4 and heightening the tension.
As the match neared its conclusion, Alcaraz held at 4-5 to stay in contention, prompting Humbert to respond with a spirited hold, pushing the score to 6-5 and forcing Alcaraz to serve to stay in the match once more. The Frenchman seized the moment in this crucial game, capitalizing on a forehand error from Alcaraz to set up two match points. With the home crowd on their feet, Humbert clinched the victory on his second match point as Alcaraz’s backhand sailed wide, securing a memorable 7-5 win in the deciding set.
Humbert’s triumph over Alcaraz was especially significant, as it not only allowed him to advance to the quarter-finals but also showcased his ability to rise to the occasion against a top-tier opponent. The Frenchman’s game was highlighted by his impressive return performance, solid second serve, and well-timed attacks that kept Alcaraz off balance throughout much of the match. Humbert finished with a total of 25 winners, though he also committed 31 unforced errors, primarily on his forehand. Alcaraz, who managed a slightly cleaner 23-25 ratio, played better at the net and excelled in extended rallies. However, Humbert’s dominance in shorter rallies ultimately gave him the edge, reinforcing his status as a formidable contender in the Paris Masters.
The victory served as a testament to Humbert’s growth as a player, particularly in high-stakes matches, and the result will surely boost his confidence as he eyes a potential Masters 1000 title in his home country.