The last time the Bercy crowd cheered on one of their compatriots in the final, Nicolas Sarkozy was still presiding over France’s destiny. On November 13, 2011, Roger Federer raised the only “Fanti tree” of his career: the bronze trophy at the Paris Masters 1000, dashing the hopes of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
On Sunday, November 3, against the German Alexander Zverev, Ugo Humbert will try to become the fifth Frenchman to inscribe his name in the record of a tournament that is living its last hours in this emblematic venue: he will migrate in 2025 to Nanterre. (Hauts de Seine). On Saturday, the southpaw figuratively and literally knocked down the Russian Karen Khachanov (21my world championship), winner in the capital in 2018 (6-7, 6-4, 6-3).
The 26-year-old had to be patient before enjoying his first final in the most prestigious category after the four Grand Slams. “But this week I wasn’t expecting anything, that’s why it’s working out well. Today was a little more difficult, everything was a little more forced, without a doubt. [qu’il y avait] a little more pressure. When you find solutions deep within yourself to seek victory, there is nothing better.” Jérémy Chardy’s protégé smiles.
In the first set, the two players take turns dispersing their commitment. After 1 hour and 13 minutes of complicated exchanges, Khachanov finally took the decisive game. Humbert had almost failed (5-2) before collapsing almost literally. After a week of brilliance and a waste of emotional energy, fatigue is logically felt (28 unforced errors in total).
“I’m giving it my all and we’ll see”
The day before, he recounted an exchange with his psychologist after his prestigious victory against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. “She told me: “Fatigue is like a cloud, it passes.” I’m making the most of it, I don’t focus on fatigue, I give it my all and we’ll see. » The last survivor of the French field doesn’t have much left in the tank, but the brave Humbert holds on and returns to the set all around after breaking the usual Khachanov midway through the second set.
In the third set, it was the Russian’s turn to take the physical blow: he called the physiotherapist at 3-2 to give him a massage on his right thigh. Back on the court, he grimaces with every movement, paralyzed by cramps. On the other hand, Humbert continues to raise his fist after each point and “abuse” – as he himself says – with his left-handed cut serve to take his opponent off the court.
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